Six years ago this weekend, the Delaware City Refinery shut down, putting 750 people out of work amid the depths of the recession and thousands more job losses statewide.
On that anniversary, Gov. Jack Markell is using his weekly message to laud the hard work and collaboration that led the plant to reopen and the state's economy to rebound.
"Today, the Delaware City Refinery is up and running more efficiently, cleanly and safely than ever, and we should pause and take note of what that says about the spirit and fortitude of our people," Markell says.
The governor says the state has seen job growth in the manufacturing, agricultural and financial sectors and more in recent years.
He adds that modernized jobs -- like those at the reopened refinery -- give Delaware an edge over neighboring states in a changing economy.
"That effort reflected the same kind of collaboration that has led to progress across our economy," he says of the refinery.
He also thanks the legislature, government agencies and the state's labor and business communities for working together to continue that growth.
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Full text of Gov. Markell's weekly message:
An anniversary this weekend provides an opportunity to take stock in our state’s economy and recognize how many Delawareans have contributed to putting us on a promising path.
On this day six years ago, this familiar Delaware manufacturing facility – the Delaware City Refinery – shut its doors. 750 people were put out of work. For many, that meant unemployment. For others, it meant missed mortgage or car payments, or even bigger problems at home.
Today, the Delaware City Refinery is up and running more efficiently, cleanly, and safely than ever. And we should pause and take note of what that says about the spirit and fortitude of our people. The refinery closed during one of the most troubling recessions in modern American history. Delaware saw thousands of job losses as the national economy collapsed. But that didn’t stop the Delaware labor and business communities from coming together with state leaders on a plan to get this place running again. Before long, we identified a partner in PBF Energy, which bought the facility and restored all of the lost jobs. And then some.
That effort reflected the same kind of collaboration that has led to progress across our economy. We’ve added thousands of good-paying technology jobs in our financial sector. We have record sales from our agricultural sector. New manufacturing is growing. The spirit of entrepreneurship that led to the success of our small business pop-up program and the transformation of innovative Delaware starts-ups into international businesses. That doesn’t happen because of one person and it doesn’t happen overnight. It happens because our General Assembly, our Economic Development office, and state and local leaders throughout Delaware have helped create a culture that supports local businesses.
Not every initiative has worked out, but we can be proud that since the depths of the recession our talented and determined workforce has helped Delaware’s job growth far outpace our neighboring states. And we’ve ranked second among state best prepared for the new economy because in addition to working to modernizes job established at places like the refinery years ago, we’re excelling in research and development, IT jobs, and broadband.
Our work is far from done, but six years after the refinery shuttered, it represents the ability of our people to keep Delaware moving forward.
