Delaware’s economic health was on many minds at Monday night’s 179th annual Delaware State Chamber of Commerce dinner.
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware) said dealing with DuPont’s move to cut 1,700 jobs in the First State as it seeks to merge with Dow is an "all hands on deck" situation.
Gov. Jack Markell (D-Delaware) echoed that sentiment, and offered the audience of about 950 at the Wilmington’s Chase Center a sketch of what’s being done.
"Clearly retaining as much of the company as possible and creating job and start up opportunities for those who lose their jobs at DuPont is a huge priority for my administration and I know for members of the General Assembly as well," said Markell.
A merged DuPont and Dow plans to keep one of those companies in Delaware and Markell says his administration and the state’s Congressional delegation are in contact with senior DuPont and Dow officials to keep more pieces here.
He adds state officials are also working with the University of Delaware, Delaware State and Delaware Tech to keep the scientists, researchers, and others DuPont is letting go from taking their skills and business ideas elsewhere.
"We are committed to seeing as much of that talent as possible based here in Delaware," said Markell. "And again, our institutions of higher education are working with us to develop a compelling plan, which is likely to include additional lab space, joint research opportunities and linkages to investment capital."
Carper's recipe for overcoming the large job loss and its fallout was similar. He says the state must make sure it has a tax policy that makes economic development possible while making sure training is available for those who need it and those looking to strat or expand business have access to capital and space.
The State Chamber dinner also feature the awarding of the organization's Josiah Marvel Cup. to retired i. The award –given annually to a distinguished Delawarean – went to public policy attorney long-time political deal maker Frank Biondi for his career work, including helping develop and pass the 1981 Delaware Financial Center Development Act - the foundation of the state’s banking industry.
The Delaware State Chamber also announced Chip Rossi has been elected the new chair of its board of directors. Rossi, Bank of America's Delaware Market president, has been on the chamber board since 2010. he succeeds Mark Setllini.
