Deldot Begins 3-Year Rehab of I-95 As Anxious

HARKER ONE-ON-ONE: How the Philly Fed chief sees recovery, inﬂ ation 3

April 20, 2021 | Vol. 8 • No. 8 | $2.00 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com

BIDEN’S TECH: Del. sound engineer heads to White House 7

SIGNED ON: UD President Assanis extended to ‘26 6 THE LONG HAUL DelDOT begins 3-year rehab of I-95 as NEW BREW: anxious Wilmington watches | 16-18 Dogfi sh Head opens new Miami brewery 10

IN THE C-SUITE: DelDOT Secretary Nicole Majeski talks public service, career planning and what’s ahead for transportation 30 Founded 2014, a biweekly newspaper serving Delaware’s business community Vol. 8, No. 8 dated April 20, 2021 Copyright © 2021 by Today Media, all rights reserved

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2 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com Philly Fed CEO Harker talks

MIDDLESEX COUNTY NJ This newspaper or its trademarks may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying BY JACOB OWENS Committee to let inflation average 2% and in order to or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or average it, it has to go above 2% for a period of time. hereafter invent without written permission from the Publisher. For licensing, A year after the COVID-19 pandemic closed down reprints, e-prints, plaques, e-mail [email protected]. much of the American economy, Patrick Harker, Where does your worry about inflation president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of begin then? Group Publisher Robert F. Martinelli Philadelphia, has reason to be hopeful in year two It’s not just the level but also the rate of change of Publisher Michael Reath of the public health crisis. [email protected] Vaccination efforts are ramping up nationwide and inflation, the velocity of inflation. If it gets to 2.5%, hiring and spending numbers are rising as well, leading or maybe even goes above that for a little bit, but it’s Editor Jacob Owens just hovering there, that's very different than quickly [email protected] the region’s top fiscal analyst to estimate gross domestic product (GDP) growth as high as 6% this year. reaching 2.5% and accelerating past. Reporter Katie Tabeling Harker, who also served as [email protected] president of the University A year ago, you told state leaders that you Research, Digital, and Mike Rocheleau of Delaware from 2007 to were most worried about the commercial real Engagement Editor [email protected] 2015, offered his outlook to estate sector and now that we're starting to Vice President of Charlie Tomlinson state leaders in a April 13 see some office vacancies and subleasing Business Development [email protected] presentation to the Delaware Digital Sales & Karen Martinelli State Chamber of Commerce. creep up. What's your outlook for the Marketing Manager [email protected] Afterward, he sat down for a commercial real estate sector today? Advertising Director Lisa Minto Patrick Harker one-on-one interview with the [email protected] I think it’s a story that hasn't completely been Delaware Business Times. written yet. It’s one we're watching very carefully. It's Multimedia Account Carol Houseal The following has been edited for clarity and not commercial real estate broadly either, you have Executives Tracy Mulcahy brevity. For more of the conversation, visit to really look at the subsegments. Marketing & Events Leeanne Rocheleau DelawareBusinessTimes.com. Retail has clearly changed. I think there are longer- HIGH QUALITY Production Director Donna Hill How do you see the remainder of 2021 term trends that this pandemic has accelerated. Art Director Chris Johnson playing out and did today's report around One of those is online shopping and the way we're just shopping differently. That doesn't mean your Graphic Designers Eric Bolis the Johnson & Johnson vaccine change WORKFORCE. Shelby Mills brick-and-mortar is dead completely. It's not, but it's Rosalinda Rocco that outlook at all? probably going to be a different mix. Director of Digital Strategy Greg Mathias In the case of office space, we don't really know It's going to be a bumpy road. It's not going to be what the future of work is. For some companies, it may HIGH QUALITY Publisher Emeritus Sam Waltz a straight line back to recovery. We never anticipated be all remote although many companies that initially Today Media, A Martinelli Holdings LLC that, and I think that's what we're seeing. thought they would be all-remote are now saying they President Robert F. Martinelli The news about Johnson & Johnson is concerning need a hybrid model because it's hard to create culture. OF LIFE. Secretary-Treasurer Richard Martinelli from an economic point of view, mainly because it Culture is a very important part of a company, and In Memoriam may just fuel more vaccine hesitancy. We already have it's hard to build it, maintain it and to instill it to a next Chairman Angelo R. Martinelli (1927 – 2018) vaccine hesitancy within our communities. 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Do you still think the greater Wilmington Subscription Information So, I am concerned and have been for a while now, market or Delaware overall can see some DelawareBusinessTimes.com/subscribe-now that vaccine hesitancy … is going to possibly create benefit from workers relocating from Learn how a deep commitment from 800.849.8751 more bumps in this road back to full recovery. neighboring areas to take advantage local government and the community To submit press releases or story ideas [email protected] We have been hearing increasing worries of remote working opportunities? has created the perfect ecosystem where from some about the prospect of inflation, Daily Newsletter Cities like Wilmington still have real opportunities, Sign up for our daily newsletter, delivered to your e-mail especially as Congress has now passed but there are things that we know have to happen. It's businesses and residents can thrive. inbox at DelawareBusinessTimes.com/Newsletter several trillions of dollars in stimulus. not only the job that's available – it’s the infrastructure, Events Do you see costs ticking up this year? the transportation access and the amenities, the quality The Delaware Business Times hosts a number of events of life, the cultural scene, restaurants, etc. each year. View the schedule and register for events at We just got a report over the wire, where we did see DelawareBusinessTimes.com/Events And I know this has been a real focus of the greater an uptick in inflation – some of that was predicted from Wilmington business community and the Delaware Awards a technical perspective. If you remember what happened business community more broadly. I would just in February and March, things were shutting down, so encourage them to keep thinking about that because prices for certain goods did fall. So, we knew that there Most Improved Publication 2020 those quality-of-life issues are what drive people to was going to be a percentage increase relative to that. Stuff Magazine 2019/2020 – Best Ancillary Publication a community or in some cases drive them away. We are also seeing increases in housing costs, some energy costs, etc. MIDDLESEX COUNTY NJ Delaware Business Times (USPS 21760, ISSN 2639-8087), Vol. 8, No. 8 dated April But at this point this is, in my view, not out of control On the Cover 20, 2021 is printed 24 times per year by Today Media, 3301 Lancaster Pike Suite 5C, Wilmington DE 19805 and is available by subscription for $39 per year. Periodicals in any way. Our estimate this year is that we’ll hit our The Interstate 95 project postage paid at Wilmington, DE and additional mailing offi ces. Single copy/ preferred measure of inflation at 2.1%. 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While I understand the concern two years and hundreds Delaware Business Times cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited because of the large fiscal stimulus that's entering the of millions to complete. material with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-address return envelope. economy, at this point, that risk needs to be balanced DiscoverMiddlesex.com/Biz Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, DBT photo by Scott Serio but the accuracy ad completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. off with the risk of taking pre-emptive action before No information expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale we see inflation rising. of any securities. We've committed as the Federal Open Market

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 3 Start of 2021 sees more r coming to Coastal Business Park KATIE TABELING office space downsizing, GETOWN — A cabin cturer is looking to sign a lease ussex County, with aims to rise subleasing in Delaware m of RV parks and ounds in southern Delaware. eat Outdoor Cottages LLC plans ice and manufacturing BY JACOB OWENS e Coastal Business WILMINGTON – After the last To a certain extent, some k off Delaware Route 9, fabricating quarter of 2020 saw employers finally ts for cottages for campgrounds on begin to shed office space in the wake of these companies are The company plans to of the COVID-19 pandemic, the start a little embarrassed to cres of land for 30 years to of 2021 saw a continuation of the trend, e-foot warehouse, according to real estate brokerage reports. be putting big chunks Nemours vacated more than 40,000 square feet in the Applied Bank Center at 2200 Concord Pike in the first ding to an agreement approved by The Wilmington metro market saw quarter of 2021. It was one of several recent sublease spaces in the last six months. | PHOTO COURTESY OF ussex County Council on Tuesday. 48,000 net square feet vacated in the first of space out there. COSTAR GROUP We felt Georgetown was a good, quarter of 2021, while the first quarter a al location from the Carolinas and w England and it was a great deal year ago saw more than 390,000 square WILLS ELLIMAN about 5,300 square feet off Lancaster putting big chunks of space out there,” ” Great Outdoor Cottages feet leased, according to Newmark, a Newmark senior managing director, Pike, offering the space for sublease he said, noting that some of the unused inancial Officer John Longino major brokerage that closely tracks the on 'shadow leases' as well, according to Newmark. space is under contract through as long “We didn’t want to be landlocked, New Castle County market. A regional In total, available sublease space as 2030. e have the capability to expand our report from another brokerage, CBRE, Subleasing, or when a tenant finds measured 468,702 square feet at the While prospective sublessees could print as we grow as well.” found similar results. a secondary occupant to take over its end of the first quarter – the highest find space for significant discounts, there nstruction is expected to be The city’s central business district total recorded since 2010. While it has just aren’t a large number of shoppers leased space through the end of its term, y October 2021, (CBD) continues to deal with the about doubled since the start of 2020, in the market with the pandemic still has become an increasingly visible part nce production starts Great highest vacancy rate in the county, with Newmark notes that sublease space ongoing, Elliman said, adding that even of the commercial real estate market es expects to hire 50 26.4% of the city’s most prominent still only accounts for about 3% of if a surge of buyers came to the market nationwide in the wake of the pandemic. yees. That total could grow to square footage remaining unused, total space on the market. to fill subleased space, it’s essentially While major markets like New York City yees in the next two years, Newmark reported. It sustained modest Wills Elliman, senior managing switched business for the market at large and Philadelphia saw a subleasing spike ding to Sussex County Economic occupancy losses in the first quarter, director of the Wilmington office of as the computed occupancy rate only starting last summer, Delaware escaped velopment Director Bill Pfaff. primarily contained to the move of law Newmark, said that while there is a lot tracks leased space. the trend until late in 2020. This is one I’m most excited about, firm Tybout, Redfearn & Pell’s from of available sublease space on the market, As vaccination efforts ramp up and ’s one we’ve been working on for Shipyard Drive to the Rockwood Office Before Nemours, Farmers Insurance there is even more not publicly disclosed. companies begin to see the light at the Park in the city’s northern suburbs. listed its entire 210,000-square-foot Tens of thousands of more square feet end of the tunnel, there may be reason The most notable downsizing in the office near the Pennsylvania border for of so-called “shadow space,” or tenants for cautious optimism ahead though. suburbs was the health care system sublease and Cigna is listing 30,000 with space to sublease that don’t want “For pretty much all of 2020 up until Nemours’ decision to give back 42,210 square feet at its Bellevue Corporate the public to know of the vacancies, mid-March, I was pretty much seeing square feet at the Applied Bank Center Center offices as well. In a smaller are being shopped as well. clients hit the pause button. But I’ve got high-rise, putting space on the market move, global consulting firm DuPont “To a certain extent, some of these to say that in the past few weeks, many for sublease. Sustainable Solutions (DSS) vacated companies are a little embarrassed to be of them are hitting play,” Elliman said. Discover to relocate longtime operations to Newark area

BY JACOB OWENS Hill, said that they have not received a final confirmation of Discover’s plans but NEWARK – Discover, the credit card are actively marketing the building for a and financial services giant that has new tenant or owner in case it does leave. long called Delaware home, will move He said that another financial services its operations south while increasing its company or any office employer would footprint this year. be a good fit at the Class A property The company plans to move from near Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 13. its longtime New Castle Corporate Discover’s office switch would be Commons location near New Castle among the first major moves for one to the Iron Hill Corporate Center near of Delaware’s larger employers in the Newark before the end of the year, wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. when its current lease is set to expire, Only an estimated 25% or so of greater company spokeswoman Abbe Kalina Wilmington area’s office workers are told Delaware Business Times. back in their workplaces, according “Expectations for increased remote Discover will move its credit card operations from its longtime New Castle offices to the Iron Hill Corporate Center, to recent brokerage reports. officials said. | DBT PHOTO BY MIKE ROCHELEAU work have provided us with the With office landlords beginning to opportunity to relocate to a new office see an uptick in vacancies and subleases, that is conveniently located and offers for another credit card titan, the now- story building features 106,878 square there is some concern that continued more amenities and parking,” she said. defunct MBNA. Now owned by Buccini/ feet of office space and a 910-spot utilization of remote working could lead Discover employs about 1,300 people Pollin Group, the office park is already parking garage on more than 6 acres to further downsizing in the commercial in Delaware and the move won't result in home to Barclays, Coventry Health Care, of business park-zoned land. real estate market. With new vacancies any job losses, Kalina added. The company URS Corporation and The Medical The building is owned by the real estate and sublease opportunities, companies plans to continue actively hiring. Society of Delaware. investment arm of NAI Emory Hill, are also seeing a renter’s market in terms The Iron Hill Corporate Center, Discover has based its Delaware which is now listing it for sale or lease. of asking prices, with square-footage located off Route 4 between Newark workforce at the 12 Read’s Way facility An asking price has not been disclosed. prices dropping about 50 cents year- and Christiana, was originally built for more than two decades. The three- Neil Kilian, principal at NAI Emory over-year.

4 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com Cabin manufacturer coming to Coastal Business Park

BY KATIE TABELING fourth tenant of the Delaware Coastal Business Park, the county-owned industrial GEORGETOWN — A cabin site. Existing tenants include injection- manufacturer is looking to sign a lease molded plastics manufacturer Atlantis, with Sussex County, with aims to rise flooring supply company Creative Floors to meet the boom of RV parks and South Inc., and international lighting campgrounds in southern Delaware. company JAYKAL LED Solutions. Great Outdoor Cottages LLC plans Builder Supply of Delmarva (BSD), on opening an office and manufacturing one of the largest suppliers of building plant in the Delaware Coastal Business materials in eastern Sussex County, is Park off Delaware Route 9, fabricating parts for cottages for campgrounds on also looking to expand its operations in the East Coast. The company plans to the Delaware Coastal Business Park with lease out 7 acres of land for 30 years to a new building. The company already has build a 45,000-square-foot warehouse, space out of the adjacent Sussex County Industrial Park, but it is in talks with the Nemours vacated more than 40,000 square feet in the Applied Bank Center at 2200 Concord Pike in the first according to an agreement approved by quarter of 2021. It was one of several recent sublease spaces in the last six months. | PHOTO COURTESY OF the Sussex County Council on Tuesday. county about building a new warehouse COSTAR GROUP “We felt Georgetown was a good, and leasing it out until 2034, with the central location from the Carolinas and option to renew afterward. BSD will use the new warehouse for distribution putting big chunks of space out there,” New England and it was a great deal Sussex County landed a new manufacturing company for the Delaware Coastal Business Park, which could bring for the land,” Great Outdoor Cottages and has currently hired 15 employees, he said, noting that so up to 150 jobs in two years. | DBT PHOTO BY KATIE TABELING Chief Financial Officer John Longino according to Pfaff. space is under contract through as lo said. “We didn’t want to be landlocked, “They’re one of the top window as 2030. so we have the capability to expand our suppliers in the state, and they offer While prospective sublessees could about six months,” Pfaff told the county cropped up because of the beaches but footprint as we grow as well.” a full-service product,” Pfaff told the find space for significant discounts, council on April 13. also because of Sports at the Beach, a Construction is expected to be Delaware Business Times. “This is all just aren’t a large number of shoppers Founded in November 2020, Great 100-acre complex that has been open for complete at the site by October 2021, in the market with the pandemic still Outdoor Cottages is a relatively new 17 years. Campgrounds are an appealing driven by growth.” and once production starts Great ongoing, Elliman said, adding that ev venture but expects to tap into the choice for large groups that arrive for PATS Aircraft, the parent company of Outdoor Cottages expects to hire 50 if a surge of buyers came to the mar growing market of camping and RV a tournament because they can be less ALOFT AeroArchitects, also extended employees. That total could grow to to fill subleased space, it’s essentially parks. In central and southern Delaware, expensive for one site. its lease for two hangars in the business 150 employees in the next two years, switched business for the mar the tourist attractions are booming in The market may boom once more, park for five years with the option of according to Sussex County Economic as the computed occupancy rate only part because of the youth sports tourism. as the $6.5 million Sandhill Fields, a two five-year renewals. Development Director Bill Pfaff. tracks leased space. Specific to Sussex County, hotels and 90-acre complex with eight fields, Both BSD and PATS Aircraft leases “This is one I’m most excited about, As vaccination efforts ramp up and businesses along U.S. Route 113 on opened last September. are subject to consumer price index rent and it’s one we’ve been working on for companies begin to see the light at the the eastern side of Georgetown have Great Outdoor Cottages marks the adjustment at the time of renewal. end of the tunnel, there may be reason for cautious optimism ahead though. “For pretty much al mid-March, I was pretty much seeing clients hit the pause button. But I’ve g to say that in the past few weeks, man of them are hitting play,” Elliman said. ENERGY SOLUTIONS Discover to relocate longtime operations to Newark area

Hill, said that they have not received a final confirmation of Discover’ NATURAL GAS are actively marketing the building f new tenant or owner in c He said that another financial services company or any office employer w CHP be a good fit at the Class A property WE CAN ENERGIZE near Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 13. COMBINED Discover’s office switch would be HEAT & POWER among the first major moves for one YOUR FUTURE of Delaware’s larger employers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only an estimated 25% or so of gr Chesapeake Utilities brings clean energy to the Wilmington area’s office workers are Delmarva Peninsula. Our natural gas distribution back in their workplaces, according CNG FUELING to recent brokerage reports. system is ready to supply your project. STATIONS With office landlords beginning to see an uptick in vac there is some concern that continued We are committed to bring environmentally sound utilization of remote wor to further downsizing in the commer energy options and innovative solutions to our real estate market. With new vac and sublease opportunities, companies customers and community partners. are also seeing a renter’s market in ter chpkgas.com of asking prices, with square-footage prices dropping about 50 cents year- over-year.

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 5 Goldey-Beacom are business owner doubles as Biden sound tech OWENS President Keith ASHINGTON – While much of irst State has been watching native ’s presidency from afar, al business owner has had a extended to ‘30 h closer seat to history. om Manchester has been serving as hnician consultant for the BY JACOB OWENS ver the first weeks of the dministration, an opportunity PIKE CREEK – Goldey-Beacom College President ose after years of hard work and Colleen Perry Keith received a vote of endorsement after n building. the college’s board of trustees extended her contract by e native, Manchester earned seven years. ee in theater production from the The extension, which began ersity of Delaware where he cultivated Jan. 1 but was announced by GBC king for quality sound in early April, will keep Keith at ing. After graduating, he founded the college located off Limestone o Sound Systems in Newport and Road through 2030. de the business his full-time career. Board Chair Mark Olazagasti hile many in the industry have University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis will serve through at least 2026 after receiving a contract extension. | PHOTO COURTESY OF EVAN said that Keith has “made me one-stop shops for lighting, KRAPE/UD tremendous progress since taking , Manchester has Colleen Perry Keith the helm in July 2019.” ocused “She has masterfully led the y on the highest quality sound college through an unforeseen pandemic while ensuring n. The six-employee company UD extends President Assanis’ our students, faculty and staff were equipped with the and Opera House, The tools they needed to continue learning and working Theater and the Arden Gild remotely,” he said in a statement announcing the new l among its annual clients. contract. “It was a quick turnaround when the college hile Electro Sound Systems had contract for five more years me prior political work for the launched fully remote classes. Everyone stepped up to support the response.” .S. Sen. Chris Coons Keith, whose original v. John Carney, Manchester BY JACOB OWENS Assanis has led a campaign of growth in enrollment, contract wasn’t set to expire tunity to work with especially among minority students who have increased until June 2022, said she ampaign came out of those NEWARK – University of Delaware President by 15%, and capital investment, including building new You just know was surprised the board Dennis Assanis received a vote of confidence from residence halls, labs and athletic centers while upgrading when it's a approached her about such the university’s board of trustees mid-April, after the school’s football stadium. Development of the STAR a lengthy extension, but she they extended his contract for five more years. Campus has also steadily increased with the addition of good fit and didn’t take long to sign on. Assanis, who came to lead the state’s flagship the Chemours Discovery Lab, UD’s College of Health “You just know when it's university in 2016, will now serve until at least 2026. Sciences STAR Tower and the future FinTech Center that's where a good fit and that's where His original contract was set to expire in June. among other projects. you want you want to stay,” she said. “I know I speak for the entire UD Board of Trustees Assanis will also now lead UD through a four-year As part of the new when I say how very pleased we are to share the news period in which the university’s most-famous alumni, to stay. contract, Keith will be that President Dennis Assanis will continue leading Joe Biden, serves as president. In his initial five years, the the University of Delaware for the next five years,” two have founded the Biden Institute and renamed the COLLEEN PERRY KEITH entitled to a three-month said John Cochran, board chairman, in a statement university’s School of Public Policy and Administration paid sabbatical to work on Goldey-Beacom College a mutually agreed upon announcing the extension. “From the day he arrived after the then-former vice president. Assanis has said President at UD, Dennis has been a catalyst for positive change, that he expects to leverage UD’s Biden connection to academic project connected elevating leadership, passion and vision to an entirely help boost its profile and drive enrollment interest to to the college’s strategic plan new level. He is not only an inspirational leader, but even greater heights. after the 2025 spring semester. also a collaborator. By igniting a shared vision among The university’s 28th president has also had to deal “As I look at the initiatives that are part of our the UD community for the future of the University, with unprecedented challenges though, including how Strategic Plan process and where the college needs to go Dennis’ talented leadership has connected strategic to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic that prevented in order to be solidly implementing 21st century majors goals with actions to successfully position UD for many students from attending in-person courses, causing and degrees with skills that employers need, it's going to excellence, growth and transformative impact.” a $250 million budget deficit. The university rolled out take us some time to get there,” she said. a virus testing plan to track and contain the spread on Keith arrived in Delaware from Pfeiffer University, the Newark campus, but outbreaks tested UD’s ability a Methodist college in North Carolina, in July 2019, to return to normal operations through much of the becoming the first woman to lead the small private, four- In many ways, we are only at the current academic year. year GBC in its history. She quickly infused new energy beginning of great things to come. Assanis recently told the university community that into the school that has long been known to locals for its he expects to welcome all students back to campus next strong Master of Business Administration program. DENNIS ASSANIS fall, as vaccination efforts nationwide have ramped up When the pandemic struck, she pushed college leaders and cases decline. to seek accreditation for fully online degree programs, University of Delaware President “I could not be more excited to lead and continue on a first for GBC. It was recently approved to offer its Your Go-To CRO for Challenging Chemistry R&D the great journey of an extraordinary university with so Master of Science in finance and its Master of Arts in Before coming to UD, Assanis served as provost many talented faculty, staff and students,” Assanis, who counseling psychology programs through this format. and senior vice president for academic affairs at Stony was unavailable for an interview, said in a statement. Keith said that the college was still exploring how to Brook University and as vice president for Brookhaven “UD uniquely connects human values with intellectual competitively position its MBA program online, as many As a contract research organization, our mission is solving our clients’ complex National Laboratory Affairs. He previously taught and curiosity, innovative spirit, cultural enlightenment and higher education institutions currently offer the popular chemistry problems and accelerating their research and manufacturing goals. conducted research at the University of Michigan and purpose-driven impact. In many ways, we are only at degree program. the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. the beginning of great things to come, and I am grateful “The MBA market online is kind of a glutted market He took over the president’s seat at UD from Patrick to the Board of Trustees and inspired by our entire right now,” she said. “We need to figure out what is it Pharmaceutical | Biotech | Specialty Chemical Harker, who left to become president and CEO of the community for their continued support to help us that would make it distinctive so that ours would stand Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. In his tenure, all go forward, together.” out and get that market share that we need.”

6 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com Goldey-Beac Delaware business owner doubles as Biden sound tech

BY JACOB OWENS was nice to just have those special little moments where you get to kind of just Presi WASHINGTON – While much of I’ve got millions of people be at ease with them and see them being the First State has been watching native listening to what I'm real people,” he said. son Joe Biden’s presidency from afar, While Manchester said that the Electro one local business owner has had a doing so I’d better make Sound Systems team expected to wrap up much closer seat to history. extended t their duties in January as Biden and Harris Tom Manchester has been serving as sure it sounds good. transitioned to the White House, he was an audio technician consultant for the pleasantly surprised to find that their work White House over the first weeks of the BY JACOB OWENS TOM MANCHESTER resulted in a longer assignment. Biden administration, an opportunity Owner, Electro Sound Systems “As COVID has stretched on, PIKE CREEK – Goldey-Beacom College Pr that arose after years of hard work and they realized that this would be the Colleen Perry Keith received a vote of endorsement af reputation building. first administration where things the college’s board of trustees extended her contract b A Delaware native, Manchester earned professional relationships. like teleconferencing and being able seven years. a degree in theater production from the With Biden’s presidential campaign to interact with people in a socially- The extension, which began University of Delaware where he cultivated grounded in Delaware amid the spread distanced fashion were going to have Jan. 1 but was announced b a clientele looking for quality sound of the COVID-19 virus last summer, to happen for a while,” he recalled. in early April, wil engineering. After graduating, he founded Democratic Party leaders sought to the college located off Limesto Electro Sound Systems in Newport and He works with the White House Tom Manchester, owner of Electro Sound Systems find a space where the nominee could Road through 2030. made the business his full-time career. Communications Agency, which includes in Newport, started working for the Biden campaign at The Queen Theater and later moved to the White Board Chair Mark Olaz While many in the industry have continue to connect with the public and many members of the military who House. | PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM MANCHESTER said that Keith has “made become one-stop shops for lighting, talk with advisers. They eventually rented handle the traditional audio needs for tremendous progr sound and video, Manchester has The Queen on Market Street and sought press conferences and events. The agency the helm in July 2019.” continued to maintain a business focused out a technical team that could keep has not had to host teleconferencing “She has masterfully led the only on the highest quality sound Biden connected. at the level needed amid the pandemic the work. college through an unforeseen pandemic while ensur production. The six-employee company “I think three or four people referred though, which has led to the need for “I'll be sitting behind my mixing our students, faculty and staff were equipped with the counts the Grand Opera House, The them back to me, and so my company Manchester’s skills. console and I look over to my right tools they needed to continue learning and working Queen Theater and the Arden Gild ended up doing the sound work,” “Previous to this, there never really where we have a television monitor that remotely,” he said in a statement announcing the new Hall among its annual clients. Manchester recalled. existed that kind of back and forth where has all the major news networks up there, contract. “It was a quick turnaround when the college While Electro Sound Systems had Manchester said that Biden and Vice you have to have multiple Zoom or and all of a sudden all of them will just launched fully remote classes. Everyone stepped up to done some prior political work for the President Kamala Harris would stop WebEx computers talking to each other,” turn to the image of the station that I’m support the response.” campaigns of U.S. Sen. Chris Coons to chat and check in with him and his he explained. “That’s really new to the mixing for. And that’s when I’m like, Keith, whose original and Gov. John Carney, Manchester team occasionally at the theater. whole world.” ‘OK, I’ve got millions of people listening contract wasn’ said that his opportunity to work with “They were very gracious and thanked In some moments, he still catches to what I'm doing so I’d better make until June 2022, said she the Biden campaign came out of those us for all the work that we did, so it himself realizing the magnitude of sure it sounds good,” he said. was surprised the board approached her about suc a lengthy extension, didn’t take long to sign o “You just kno a good fit and that's wher you want to stay,” she said. As part of the new contract, Keith will be entitled to a three-month paid sabbatical to work o a mutually agreed upon academic project co to the college’s str after the 2025 spring semester. “As I look at the initiatives that are part of our Strategic Plan process and where the colleg in order to be solidly implementing 21st centur and degrees with skills that employers need, it's g take us some time to get there,” she said. Keith arrived in Delaware from Pfeiffer University, a Methodist college in North Carolina, in July 2019, becoming the first woman to lead the small private, f year GBC in its history. She quickly infused ne into the school that has long been known to locals f strong Master of Business Administration program. When the pandemic struck, she pushed college lea to seek accreditation for fully online degree programs, a first for GBC. It was recently approved to offer its Master of Science in finance and its Master of Arts in Your Go-To CRO for Challenging Chemistry R&D counseling psychology programs through this format. Keith said that the college was still exploring ho competitively position its MBA program online, As a contract research organization, our mission is solving our clients’ complex higher education institutions currently off degree program. chemistry problems and accelerating their research and manufacturing goals. “The MBA market online is kind of a glutted mar right now,” she said.“We need to figure out what is it Pharmaceutical | Biotech | Specialty Chemical that would make it distinctive so that ours w out and get that market share that we need.”

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 7 Delaware counties, towns set ceive millions in stimulus

keeps AAA KATIE TABELING OVER — Delaware’s three counties zens of cities and towns are set bond rating eceive a windfall from the American lan stimulus, but local leaders n more information on ven as the clock has BY JACOB OWENS ted ticking. WILMINGTON – In yet another sign that the illion American Rescue state’s coffers are holding up just fine despite the global ct (ARPA), $350 billion was COVID-19 pandemic, Delaware once again received , local, and tribal ernments bridge budget shortfalls and Students participate in a medical the highest possible bond ratings from three agencies laboratory technology course. ahead of its April 14 sale. iscal fallout. New Castle PHOTO COURTESY OF DEL TECH The latest round of rating reviews from Fitch, y is projected to see $108 million, Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings were largely expected, y expects to receive considering the agencies maintained the perfect ratings lion and Sussex County is through last summer’s much more uncertain period. Since et $45 million. then, Delaware’s fiscal analysts have steadily improved ilmington, the state’s most populous Proposal would expand state their projections for revenue flows in the current and , is projected to see $55 million. upcoming fiscal years. unicipalities expecting to see The state bid $293.1 million in general obligation e bonds this month, which includes $63.1 million that wark ($17 million); Middletown scholarships for retraining will essentially refinance bonds from 2013, as it does lion); Dover ($6.9 million) annually to fund its capital improvement program myrna ($6 million). A total of and to achieve savings on previous debt. ler towns throughout the First BY TAYLOR GOEBEL to attract larger employers to the state and assist The ratings are important because higher grades e are predicted to receive the 56% of Delawareans aged 25 to 64 who lack translate into lower interest costs in repayment of lion dollars each. DOVER – Delaware lawmakers are pushing to the bonds. The agencies look at a variety of criteria, a post-secondary degree and are considering a This is a historic opportunity to expand scholarship eligibility with a new bill aimed including a state’s economy, government’s financial career change. mmunities in which at helping residents who remain jobless more than performance and management, debt load, long-term Per the release, Delaware Tech estimated that for e, an unprecedented opportunity a year after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. costs and political structure. States that analysts every $1 million invested in the proposed program, Senate Bill 12 would broaden eligibility believe could better weather recessions or economic more than 300 Delaware workers could receive two requirements of the state’s existing Student Excellence downturns are in turn seen as safer risks and awarded semesters of free training and/or college credits. higher ratings. Equals Degree program, which is currently limited SEED+ would operate similarly to the original “Our commitment to responsibly managing the state’s to recent high school graduates with a 2.5 GPA SEED program as a “last-dollar scholarship”, spending has provided the financial resilience needed for or higher and no previous felony convictions. meaning state funding is only used when there are Delaware to weather the COVID emergency,” Gov. John Since 2005, the SEED program has covered tuition gaps between federal aid and the full cost of tuition. Carney said in a statement. for nearly 13,000 local high school graduates who Lawmakers pointed out that from last February to All three rating reports note the importance of the attend Delaware Technical Community College. state’s conservative budget practices, the maintenance of May, the unemployment rate of people who only have “The goal of the original SEED program is to help financial reserves, and a proactive approach to tracking students with the aptitude for college education but a high school diploma was more than double the rate and forecasting revenues and expenditures throughout struggle with the ability to pay for those courses. But of those with bachelor’s degrees, while 70% of all jobs the year. Delaware also benefits from continued business it’s not just a high school student who needs a hand are expected to require some education beyond high growth, especially in financial services, life sciences and up right now,” said State Sen. Nicole Poore (D-New school by 2027, according to a 2020 report from the distribution, as well as comparatively lower costs of Castle), who introduced the bill Tuesday during a Georgetown University Center on Education and business and living than neighboring states. virtual press conference. the Workforce. While all three agencies were largely supportive of the state’s performance and outlook, they also all noted SB12 eliminates a SEED provision that requires “Any amount of post-secondary education or skills that Delaware’s unfunded pensions and other post- students to enroll in community college immediately training helps workers earn more, stay employed longer and weather downturns in the economy,” employment benefits (OPEB) were the biggest threat after high school. It also expands scholarship to its pristine ratings. said House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, the eligibility to 10 semesters, which Poore calls a “critical “Delaware's unfunded OPEB liabilities have grown House prime sponsor of SB12, in a statement. “But component” for folks who have to work to support significantly, despite the implementation of various when you are already living paycheck to paycheck, PARTNER WITH UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE themselves and their families while pursuing higher reforms over the past two decades. As of fiscal 2020, education. that education becomes all-but unattainable. SEED+ the state's $9.4 billion share of the net OPEB liability is Under the legislation, people previously convicted help remove the hurdles that prevent so many of our among the largest in the nation on a per capita basis, at TO MEET YOUR CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY GOALS of non-violent felonies or solely drug-related violent neighbors from seeking a better life for themselves $9,486,” the analysts at S&P wrote. “In our view, inaction felonies could also apply to the scholarship program. and their families.” in addressing Delaware's elevated retiree health care “The expansion would allow hundreds of additional ChristianaCare, Delaware’s largest hospital system liabilities over our outlook horizon could affect the United Way of Delaware partners with business to make Delaware a better place. Delawareans to seek new skills through either and private employer, also supports SB12 in its effort state's credit quality.” We align our work in support of your philanthropy goals, Delaware Tech’s non-credit workforce development to have a “diverse and thriving health care workforce,” In 2019, Carney signed Executive Order 32 to reestablish a committee to study OPEB costs in and engage your employees in meeting those goals. programs or its academic credential courses, nearly said Pamela Ridgeway, ChristianaCare’s chief Delaware and identify potential actions. The Retirement diversity officer and vice president of talent. all of which are transferable to Delaware’s four-year Benefit Study Committee met five times in 2019 and “To do that, it is critical that we expand colleges and universities,” according to a Delaware 2020 but hasn’t met since the pandemic began. Call Michelle Taylor opportunities and help create pathways for State Senate Majority Caucus press release. According to meeting materials from March 2020, President and Chief Executive Officer The caucus stated that more than half of Delaware Delawarean to explore careers in health care,” the committee is studying a range of options, from 302.573.3706 Powered by United Way of Delaware legislators – including Democrats and Republicans Ridgeway said. “By expanding Delaware’s SEED reducing eligibility or benefits of plans to freezing in both chambers – are co-sponsoring SB12. scholarship program, more Delawareans will be new beneficiaries, setting subsidy caps to ending The new program, called SEED+, is designed able to reach their goals and their dreams.” benefits altogether.

8 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com Delaware Delaware counties, towns set to receive millions in stimulus keeps AAA BY KATIE TABELING to address problems that have festered for decades,” New Castle County DOVER — Delaware’s three counties Executive Matt Meyer told the and dozens of cities and towns are set Delaware Business Times. bond rating to receive a windfall from the American Rescue Plan stimulus, but local leaders are waiting on more information on how to spend it even as the clock has BY JACOB OWENS This is a historic started ticking. opportunity to reimagine WILMINGTON – In yet another sign that the In the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), $350 billion was state’s coffers are holding up just f the communities President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the American Rescue Plan on March 12. The stimulus provided millions COVID-19 pandemic, Delaware once again received set aside to help state, local, and tribal to Delaware counties and towns. | PHOTO COURTESY OF ADAM SCHULTZ/WHITE HOUSE the highest possible bond ratings from three agencies governments bridge budget shortfalls and in which we live. mitigate the fiscal fallout. New Castle ahead of its April 14 sale. the pandemic did have an impact on contractors to Delaware. Another prime County is projected to see $108 million, MATT MEYER The latest round of rating reviews from Fitch, some revenue figures, it was not as target could be retraining and educational Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings were largel while Kent County expects to receive County Executive, New Castle County devastating as some were concerned. programs, such as the state’s Forward considering the agencies maintained the perfect ratings $35 million and Sussex County is Other permitted uses for the funds Delaware program that Gov. John Carney through last summer’s much more uncertain period. S slated to get $45 million. include providing aid to homes and small The ARPA has several determining hinted he may be looking at expanding then, Delaware’s fiscal analysts have steadily improved Wilmington, the state’s most populous businesses and nonprofits, or impacted their projections for revenue flows in the current and city, is projected to see $55 million. factors to calculate how much funding with the state’s share of stimulus funds. industries like tourism or hospitality “Before 2007, we had all these upcoming fiscal years. The municipalities expecting to see each state, county and local government or making “necessary investments” construction workers working around the The state bid $293.1 million in general obligation the next highest amount of funds are will receive. While Delaware’s $1.25 in capital infrastructure. clock to meet the crazy housing demand. bonds this month, which includes $63.1 million that Newark ($17 million); Middletown billion was determined in part due to The ARPA requires local governments When the housing market crashed, they will essentially refinance bonds from 2013, as it does ($11.7 million); Dover ($6.9 million) its unemployment rate, the counties to spend the funds by Dec. 31, 2024. annually to fund its capital improvement program and Smyrna ($6 million). A total of and municipalities will be allocated Jim Butkiewicz, professor of economics all left the field and were retrained to and to achieve savings on previous debt. 19 smaller towns throughout the First funds based on population figures and at the University of Delaware, said enter a new career. With demand back The ratings are important because higher grades State Delaware are predicted to receive a modified Community Development that personally he hoped that local up, there’s no construction workers and translate into lower interest costs in repayment of over a million dollars each. Block Grant formula. governments used the ARPA funds tradesmen to meet that demand again,” the bonds. The agencies look at a variety of criteria, “This is a historic opportunity to Much like the state’s financials, on capital infrastructure projects that Butkiewicz said. “It’s certainly beneficial including a state’s economy, government’s financial reimagine the communities in which both New Castle County and Kent may otherwise be delayed, noting that to think creatively with retaining performance and management, debt load, long-term we live, an unprecedented opportunity County officials confirmed that while construction would also bring a boom of initiatives too.” costs and political structure. States that analysts believe could better weather recessions or economic downturns are in turn seen as safer risks and awarded higher ratings. “Our commitment to responsibl spending has provided the financial r Delaware to weather the COVID emergency,” Gov. Carney said in a statement. All three rating reports note the importance of the state’s conservative budget practices, financial reserves, and a proactive approach to trac and forecasting revenues and expenditures thr the year. Delaware also benefits from co growth, especially in financial services, lif distribution, as well as comparatively lower costs of business and living than neighboring states. While all three agencies were largely supportive of the state’s performance and outlook, they also al that Delaware’s unfunded pensions and other post- employment benefits (OPEB) were the biggest thr to its pristine ratings. “Delaware's unfunded OPEB liabilities have grown significantly, despite the implementation of various PARTNER WITH UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE reforms over the past two decades. As of fiscal 2020, the state's $9.4 billion share of the net OPEB liability is among the largest in the nation on a per capita basis, at $9,486,” the analysts at S&P wrote. “In our view, ina TO MEET YOUR CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY GOALS in addressing Delaware's elevated retiree health care liabilities over our outlook horizon could affect the United Way of Delaware partners with business to make Delaware a better place. state's credit quality.” We align our work in support of your philanthropy goals, In 2019, Carney signed Executive Order 32 to reestablish a committee to study OPEB costs in and engage your employees in meeting those goals. Delaware and identify potential actions. The Retir Benefit Study Committee met five times in 2019 and 2020 but hasn’t met since the pandemic began. Call Michelle Taylor According to meeting materials from March 2020, President and Chief Executive Officer the committee is studying a range of options, from 302.573.3706 Powered by United Way of Delaware reducing eligibility or benefits of plans to freezing new beneficiaries, setting subsidy caps to ending benefits altogether.

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 9 Dogfish Head heads to Miami in new expansion x housing booms, supplier expands business

BY KATIE TABELING KATIE TABELING

MILTON – Unique beer punctuated BESON — A regional kitchen with bold flavors and fresh fruit. That’s oom supplier has bought land the philosophy that drove Dogfish Head beson store, signaling to become the Delaware beer titan that ’s ready to explore expanding its eventually signed a $300 million deal ussex County. with the Boston Beer Company. Kitchen & Tile Center President But Dogfish Head’s next act will be hard Campbell bought the six acres its first foray outside of the First State. cent to Harberson Business Park Embracing an artistic flair with the new or $1.7 million, according brewery, complete with a graffiti-inspired ussex County land records. The mural, Dogfish Head is heading to ty was sold by Charles and Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. n, records show. “We just fell in love with the city, ith the race to build houses for the and the Wynwood district in particular ming population of retirees looking has this flourishing, amazing artists y Delaware’s beaches and tax community as well as a foodie scene,” e, Campbell said it’s triggered a Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione wroom. told the Delaware Business Times. “That, Kitchen & Tile Center also and because Florida is one of the robust acts with major homebuilders in agricultural states, especially with fruit, , and it’s become one of their made us say, ‘Let’s do this.’” ngest markets in Sussex County. Dogfish Head Miami will move There’s a high demand for our into a 11,000-square-foot space, after tops and cabinets in both renovating the existing kitchen and w Castle and Sussex counties, but installing a new sound system for a DJ re seeing continued success in booth. The taproom used to be occupied y with homebuilders and by Concrete Beach Brewery, owned ” Campbell told the Delaware by A&S Brewing Collaborative and a Dogfish founder Sam Calagione cheers to Dogfish Head Miami, complete with graffit-style murals on the brewery. |PHOTO COURTESY OF DOGFISH HEAD Times. “Sussex has been steady subsidiary of Boston Beer Company, but constant home building over the last it was closed in September 2020. Dogfish ade, but it’s really been on the uptick Head already had a residency at Concrete wo years.” Beach earlier that year, and several for it,” Calagione recalled. recipes. The beers on tap will run the As for the food menu, guests can w property was bought to give Dogfish Head beers were already on tap. In Miami, Dogfish Head will have the gamut from double IPAs to fruited local expect small high-quality plates like The Delaware beer company plans on opportunity to brew up to 6,000 barrels sours, including Star Pucker IPA, a fruity barbacoa bao buns, grilled street corn, retaining much of the staff of Concrete of beer and use the facility’s existing beer made from Florida’s starfruit. seared tuna tacos and Florida lobster Beach, and three top Concrete Beach canning line. Calagione said that the plan “We’re using Delaware as a proving gazpacho. brewers flew up to Delaware to learn is to sell four- and six-packs on site, but ground for regional test recipes that Dogfish Head Miami will also the Dogfish Head flair. they would wait before distributing can get rolled out nationally if they’re draw deeper into the brand’s love of While the COVID-19 pandemic on a larger scale in Florida. successful,” he said. “But the same independent records with a new DJ first hit Dogfish Head hard, drying up To start, Dogfish Head Miami will concept is here in that we’ll be working booth. The brewery has long collaborated 32% of sales in food and beer overnight, focus on the brewery’s core four beers: with farmers to locally source vegetables with musicians on branding beers, from Calagione said that the decision to Slightly Mighty, 60 Minutes, Hazy-O and fruit, and most of the fruit will the Grateful Dead to Miles Davis to bring the Delaware homegrown brand and SeaQuench, since fruited sours sell go into the brewery.” Pearl Jam, but this will give the brewery to the Magic City was made before even better in warmer weather. Dogfish In some senses, Delaware is now the chance to partner with nearby Sweat the economy flipped upside down. Head will also bring the Wildhood becoming a proving ground for products Records to host live shows. “[Boston Beer company founder and tart farmhouse ale series to serve as with some Florida-sourced ingredients. “This place is going to have a lot Chairman] Jim Koch and [Boston Beer a centerpiece for the new brewery. Right now, Dogfish Head Delaware of fun, artistic moments centered, but CEO] Dave Burwick saw they had Miami also opens a door of locations are serving the beer cocktail there’s going to be very recognizable this place in Miami and it was close to opportunity for Calagione to sample MojitAle, made with Florida sugar parts of the Dogfish Head brand with agricultural zones, so it was decided to go Florida’s vibrant, citrus flavors in new cane, as a trial run. us,” Calagione said. National headliners return for Freeman’s 2021 lineup

BY KATIE TABELING Sussex County’s economy each summer, Ballet and Brown Box Theatre Project. is something we will be dealing with in $58 million in revenue in more than The Young Audience Series, sponsored by 2021,” Grimes said. “The good news is that SELBYVILLE — The 2021 Freeman a decade, according to a University of the PNC Foundation, will take place every last summer turned out to be practice and Arts Pavilion lineup features a diverse mix Delaware 2019 study. Saturday morning throughout the season. we now have the space to have a set up on a of country, R&B, rock and pop artists, The 2021 season kicks off Kashmir: Freeman Arts Pavilion Executive simple lawn at the future venue we bought” with headliners like Earth, Wind & Fire, The Live Led Zeppelin Show on June 17. Director Patti Grimes pointed that this In January, the Freeman Arts Pavilion Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jake Owen and Fitz & the Tantrums for the summer concert Other top acts include Train, Indigo Girls, lineup has been more than a year in the revealed plans for a $27 million new series, organizers recently announced. REO Speedwagon, Big Bad Voodoo making. When the pandemic swept venue on property bought on Route 9. First launched in 2008, the annual Daddy, Blackberry Smoke, Straight through Delaware, the nonprofit turned The new venue should boost capacity by music series at the previously dubbed No Chaser, The Commodores, Jamey to safely organizing smaller shows and 50%, and build out should be complete Freeman Stage in Selbyville is promising Johnson, Melissa Etheridge and Leslie rebooking the 2020 lineup to this year. in the next six years. Grimes added that a blockbuster return to music after the Odom Jr., and more. Comedian Kathleen Maximum seating from last summer throughout the summer, the Freeman COVID-19 pandemic derailed what Madigan will take the stage on July 24. was cut from 2,700 to 380 attendees per Foundation will be leveraging dollars to could have been its biggest season ever. The Freeman Arts Pavilion also booked show, separated into pods with four seats. start infrastructure at the site this year. The program, an arm of the Joshua M. crowd pleasers like the Mid-Atlantic “As last summer wore on, we reached For more information on the Freeman Foundation, is a huge driver for Symphony Orchestra, the First State a turning point where we realized this performances, www.freemanarts.org.

10 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com Dogfish Head heads to Miami in new expansion As Sussex housing booms, supplier expands business

BY KATIE TABELING

HARBESON — A regional kitchen and bathroom supplier has bought land next door to its Harbeson store, signaling that it’s ready to explore expanding its presence in Sussex County. Bath, Kitchen & Tile Center President Richard Campbell bought the six acres adjacent to Harberson Business Park on Route 9 for $1.7 million, according to Sussex County land records. The property was sold by Charles and Elva Davidson, records show. With the race to build houses for the booming population of retirees looking to enjoy Delaware’s beaches and tax structure, Campbell said it’s triggered a need to expand the business showroom. The Bath, Kitchen & Tile Center also contracts with major homebuilders in Bath, Kitchen & Tile Center in Harbeson is looking to expand out of its space in southern Delaware. | PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE MAPS the state, and it’s become one of their strongest markets in Sussex County. “There’s a high demand for our the Bath, Kitchen & Tile Center more has about 80 full-time employees across Campbell, sold kitchen cabinets and tiles countertops and cabinets in both room for inventory and staff as well four offices, and 10 employees in the to homeowners and builders. New Castle and Sussex counties, but as greater visibility from Route 9. The Harbeson Business Park location. More Now the company also offers we’re seeing continued success in existing showroom was leased out in staff may be added, but Campbell said it countertops, vanities, plumbing fixtures, Sussex County with homebuilders and Harbeson Business Park around 2000, is too soon to determine staff numbers. whirlpool tubs and other appliances and remodelers,” Campbell told the Delaware and is 2,000 square feet. Right now, the Founded in 1963 out of a small serves Maryland, southern Pennsylvania Dogfish founder Sam Calagione cheers to Dogfish Head Miami, complete with graffit-style murals on the brewery. |PHOTO COURTESY OF DOGFISH HEAD Business Times. “Sussex has been steady company is working with designers to warehouse in Wilmington, the Bath, and New Jersey. Three generations with constant home building over the last determine the best use of the new space Kitchen & Tile Center has grown over the of Campbells helped expand it into a decade, but it’s really been on the uptick and whether it would still need to lease past 58 years to Newark, Harbeson as well regional success, and the company remains for the last two years.” space out of the business park. as an office in Bel Air, Md. The company, in the hands of Richard, the grandson of As for the food menu, guests can The new property was bought to give The Bath, Kitchen & Tile Company which was first started by Pauline and Jack Pauline and Jack Campbell. expect small high-quality plates like barbacoa bao buns, grilled street corn, seared tuna tacos and Florida lobster gazpacho. Dogfish Head Miami will also draw deeper into the brand’s love of independent records with a new DJ booth. The brewery has long collabor with musicians on branding beers, fro the Grateful Dead to Miles Davis to Pearl Jam, but this will give the brewer the chance to partner with nearby Sw Records to host live shows. “This place is going to have a lot of fun, artistic moments centered, but there’s going to be very recognizable parts of the Dogfish Head brand with us,” Calagione said. National headliners return for Freeman’s 2021 lineup is something we will be dealing with in 2021,” Grimes said. “The good ne last summer turned out to be pra we now have the space to have a set up o simple lawn at the future venue w In January, the Freeman Arts Pavilio revealed plans for a $27 million new venue on property bought on Route 9. The new venue should boost capacit 50%, and build out should be co in the next six years. Grimes a throughout the summer, the Freeman Foundation will be leveraging dol start infrastructure at the site this year. For more information on the performances, www.freemanarts.org.

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 11 Company seeks to turn poultry waste into natural gas reepoint buys

BY KATIE TABELING

SEAFORD — Waste comes in, and rington land after five months, fine organic soil goes out. To be specific, Bioenergy Devco (BDC) takes 30,000 tons of poultry bath solar project and hatchery waste from Perdue Farms on the Delmarva Peninsula and composts it on a large scale at its new facility just KATIE TABELING south of Seaford. Eggshell debris, feathers and other RINGTON — The developer of the state’s materials can be turned into organic soil est solar projects has bought the property for its fit to be bagged by companies like Scotts ington solar array, as a sign of strengthening and Coast of Maine and sold in garden oothold in the First State. centers across the country in a matter of reepoint Solar, the young subsidiary of the global weeks, speeding up the natural process of mmodities firm based in Connecticut, microorganisms breaking down carbon cres of land for $2.35 million, according by carefully controlling its conditions. y land records. The property was officially BDC CEO Shawn Kreloff envisions y FPS Raceway LLC, the name shared with taking production one step further by aceway Solar Project in Harrington. constructing an anaerobic digester at lion Raceway project near the intersection the property his company bought in armington and Walter Messick roads was approved late 2019, extracting natural gas from y Levy Court last May. Before the sale on the same poultry waste as part of a deal il 1, Freepoint was leasing the land, but ultimately with Chesapeake Utilities. After hours orge on with buying the property. of public testimony in February, the irm is in the process of completing preliminary Sussex County Planning and Zoning ing and is preparing to file permits, according Commission recommended the project’s eter Ford, managing director of Freepoint Solar. approval on March 11. The county council Bioenergy DevCo proposes building digester tanks that will turn poultry waste into natural gas. Chesapeake Utilities will take and process the natural gas before sending it in aceway Solar project is the second-largest size is set to consider the project on April 20. its pipeline, and BDC will use what’s left to compost. | PHOTO COURTESY OF BIOENERGY DEVCO oung Freepoint’s projects. The company is also “Instead of waiting millions of years eloping the 114-megawatt Cedar Creek Solar Project for the organic material to break down Townsend, which easily dwarfs the state’s current and get trapped underground and frack est array of 17-megawatts in Milford. it, we’re going to make it in real time In November, Perdue sold the Seaford Right now, BDC is permitted to resources, sent a letter to Gov. John Freepoint may buy or lease land depending on with this technology,” Kreloff explained. facility to BDC for $7.2 million and receive 30,000 tons of raw feedstock a Carney demanding his intervention, wner preference,” Ford told the Delaware Business “We’re trapping methane – the worst committed to supply compost material to year but the company hopes to raise claiming that county officials were greenhouse gas there is – instead of the site for 20 years. The material comes it to 56,000 tons a year. rushing through the approval process releasing it in the atmosphere through from farms in Delaware, Maryland, If the county council approves the without proper oversight. VIDE0 • FILM • MUSIC • CREATIVE CONSULTING a landfill or incineration. If you let the Virginia, although BDC officials digester, Kreloff said the digester will BDC Chief Development Officer land break it down, you risk runoff to the hope that Perdue will soon expand the dramatically boost capacity to 210,000 Peter Ettinger told the Delaware Chesapeake Bay. This is really an elegant agreement to its farms in North Carolina. tons of organic matter annually and cut Business Times that he believes the local way of solving these problems all at the Poultry remains king on the Delmarva composting time down to two to three community is positive about the prospect same time.” Peninsula, but the region has long struggled months. The former pellet plant will be of a new enterprise supporting the BDC may be new to Delaware, but with how to manage the nutrients before enlarged by 10% to 76,620 square feet, longstanding poultry industry. However, the company has a 20-year track record running off into the Chesapeake Bay. combining the composting facility with he pointed out that there are some of building 230 facilities and digesters Chicken farmers in Delaware, Maryland the anaerobic digestion system. organizations that have concerns about in seven countries, aided by acquiring and Virginia raised 4.3 billion pounds of The feedstock will be placed in the poultry industry as a whole rather longtime Italian digestor developer BTS chicken in 2019, a 35% jump from two two oxygen-free tanks and heated than their specific work. Biogas. As the global conversation turns decades earlier, according to the Delmarva and constantly stirred. Over time, the BDC has other projects in Chicken Association. to renewable energy resources, anaerobic fermenting process produces digestate, development, such as one at the “Part of the reason this prospect is a soil conditioner that can eventually digestion has become a viable option Maryland Food Center in Jessup, in several European countries, notably so intriguing is that poultry companies be composted, and natural gas, which Md., where dozens of produce and in the United Kingdom, Germany and know the cost of getting rid of their rises to the top of the tank for removal. seafood merchants, food processors and Denmark. waste is going up exponentially, year over Chesapeake Utilities is proposing to distributors produce about 100,000 tons The European digestion market value year,” Kreloff said. “The laws on land truck the natural gas away for processing of organic waste each year. Kreloff argued is expected to hit $75 billion by 2026, application are changing when it comes and eventually entry into its Eastern that this was more about what waste and Global Market Insights Inc. notes to how long they can hold it and the max Shore Natural Gas pipeline. BDC was working with than the that the sector has advantages, such amount of nutrients you can apply on it. Now that America is starting to lean as low operating and power costs due We’re giving the poultry industry long- toward renewable energy options as it process itself. to little critical equipment, and new term visibility over this.” becomes more congested, Kreloff said “We don’t judge whose waste we take, technology making it easier to process BDC has built a year-round “it’s time for this to happen” and believes because it’s all bad. We take whatever dry feedstock. The United States has 263 business with landscapers, retailers, and this could be a new chapter in green is organic, not recycled and bad for the anaerobic digestion facilities as of 2020, construction companies to make sure the business. world,” he said. “We’re just here to help although this would be among the first waste is moving in a streamlined process But the proposal is not without its fix the problem and process this material. in Delaware. and leaving the facility just as fast. Other critics. In late February, the Sussex The problem is somewhere up the BDC’s philosophy of letting nothing well-known BDC clients include Blue County Planning and Zoning food chain.” go to waste even comes at their site, a Hen Organics, Grizzle’s Landscaping Commission heard four hours of The $45 million digester tank should 228-acre property off U.S. Route 13 and Eastern Shore Forest Products. testimony on the project, with many be in full operation by early 2022 at the that includes the former Perdue Farms “In the fall, we have Scotts and Coast people concerned the digester would latest, if approved by the county. BDC AgriRecycle organic soil composting of Maine buying because they’re getting cause poultry house litter and manure currently employs 11 full-time staff, and facility. The poultry giant used to ready for springtime. Then in the spring, shipped by the truckload to be construction will add between 40 and repurpose chicken litter into fertilizer, the garden centers and landscapers get concentrated in one spot. The Food 45 jobs. Once construction is complete, drying it into pellets at the Seaford plant busy and we have construction companies & Water Watch, a national nonprofit the company projects there will be before selling it back to farmers. getting busy in the summer,” said Vinnie focused on corporate and government 30 employees for the digester and 11 KINGCREATIVE.COM Bevivino, BDC director of organics. accountability relating to food and water employees for the compost facility.

12 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com Company seeks to turn poultry waste into natur Freepoint buys Harrington land for solar project

BY KATIE TABELING

HARRINGTON — The developer of the state’s largest solar projects has bought the property for its Harrington solar array, as a sign of strengthening its foothold in the First State. Freepoint Solar, the young subsidiary of the global Freepoint commodities firm based in Connecticut, bought the 290 acres of land for $2.35 million, according to Kent County land records. The property was officially bought by FPS Raceway LLC, the name shared with the 50-megawatt Raceway Solar Project in Harrington. The $45 million Raceway project near the intersection of Farmington and Walter Messick roads was approved Freepoint Solar is developing Delaware's largest solar projects and recently bought land in Harrington for a 50-megawatt array. | PHOTO COURTESY OF by Kent County Levy Court last May. Before the sale on NEW CASTLE COUNTY April 1, Freepoint was leasing the land, but ultimately decided to forge on with buying the property. The firm is in the process of completing preliminary Times. “[Our] commitment to complete these solar of solar projects due to their favorable tariff structures, engineering and is preparing to file permits, according projects remains strong, and total investment to but Delaware and other smaller Mid-Atlantic and to Peter Ford, managing director of Freepoint Solar. complete both Raceway and Cedar Creek will be New England states have room to grow. The Raceway Solar project is the second-largest size Bioenergy DevCo proposes building digester tanks that will turn poultry waste into natural gas. Chesapeake Utilities will take and process the natural gas before s in excess of $200 million.” Freepoint also signed a deal with Dover last summer of the young Freepoint’s projects. The company is also Freepoint has 400 megawatts of solar power under its pipeline, and BDC will use what’s left to compost. | PHOTO COURTESY OF BIOENERGY DEVCO to buy a total of 50 megawatts of power between the developing the 114-megawatt Cedar Creek Solar Project development on the East Coast from Delaware to in Townsend, which easily dwarfs the state’s current Maine, and Ford previously told the DBT that the Raceway and Cedar Creek projects, at a price of 4 cents largest array of 17-megawatts in Milford. firm is looking to find investment opportunities in a kilowatt hour for 25 years. That falls under the average resources, sent a letter to Gov. John “Freepoint may buy or lease land depending on markets that are underserved by solar power. fixed rate of a little more than 7 cents a kilowatt hour Carney demanding his intervention, landowner preference,” Ford told the Delaware Business New Jersey, New York, and Maryland have an array on the market in Delaware as of June. claiming that county officials were rushing through the approval process without proper oversight. VIDE0 • FILM • MUSIC • CREATIVE CONSULTING BDC Chief Development Officer Peter Ettinger told the Delaware Business Times that he believ community is positive about the pr of a new enterprise supporting the longstanding poultry industry. Howev he pointed out that there are some organizations that have concer the poultry industry as a whole rather than their specific work. BDC has other projects in development, such as one at the Maryland Food Center in Jessup, Md., where dozens of produce and seafood merchants, food pr distributors produce about 100,000 to of organic waste each year. Kr that this was more about what waste BDC was working with than the process itself. “We don’t judge whose waste w because it’s all bad. We take whatever is organic, not recycled and bad f world,” he said.“We’re just her fix the problem and process this mater The problem is somewhere up the food chain.” The $45 million dig be in full operation by earl latest, if approved by the county. BDC currently employs 11 full-time staff, construction will add between 40 and 45 jobs. Once construction is complete the company projects there will be 30 employees for the digester and 11 KINGCREATIVE.COM employees for the compost facility.

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 13 Carney nominates McCormick, Will for Chancery ngel investor network lands in Sussex County

BY JACOB OWENS To backfill the The nominations KATIE TABELING vice chancellor were among a slate WILMINGTON – Gov. John opened by of eight judicial Vice Chancellor GETOWN — Mark Wdowik Carney has nominated Vice Chancellor a potential candidates offered McCormick has the ’t been in Delaware too long, but Kathaleen McCormick to replace Andre McCormick by Carney on April eady starting to get a feel for G. Bouchard at the head of the vastly promotion, 9, but Bouchard’s experience and good connected things are in the influential Delaware Court of Chancery. Carney has replacement was tate. If confirmed by the State Senate, nominated the fourth high- judgment necessary That’s exactly McCormick would become the first Vice Chancellor Wilson Sonsini Lori Will profile judicial to serve as the next what he was woman to lead the Court of Chancery, Kathaleen McCormick Goodrich appointment in looking for when the non-jury court that is home to some & Rosati about a year for Carney, who has already Chancellor of the he opened a of the nation’s most contentious and attorney Lori W. Will. She has focused faced criticism from outside voices over second location sensitive business cases. on corporate, commercial, and federal the makeup of the state’s judiciary. Delaware Court of of East Coast Bouchard, who has served nearly securities litigation, especially in the Carney appointed Delaware Supreme Chancery, and make sure (EC) Angels, a six years in the top Chancery seat, is Court of Chancery, during her more than Court Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz North Carolina- retiring as of April 30. During his tenure, four years at the firm. Before joining Jr., the state’s top judge, about a year Delaware’s preeminent based angel Bouchard oversaw the expansion of the Wilson Sonsini, Will was a senior ago. That promotion – as Seitz was investor network, Court of Chancery from five to seven associate in the litigation department of already a Supreme Court justice – led business court is well in Sussex officers to hear a growing caseload. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom to a trickle-down effect that created prepared for the future. y. With international members of McCormick and the governor have a LLP and served as a law clerk to then- appointments for Supreme Court Justice edited investors looking for projects prior connection, as Carney nominated Vice Chancellor Leo E. Strine Jr., who Tamika Montgomery-Reeves and Vice JOHN CARNEY ch of capital that inspire them and her to serve as vice chancellor in would later serve as chief justice of Chancellor Paul A. Fioravanti Jr. eat return-of-investment, Governor 2018. Previously, she was a partner in the Delaware Supreme Court. Throughout the latest appointment ngels Wilmington at Young Conaway Stargatt With the Court of Chancery being decisions, the Citizens for a Pro- ives on a strong network to bring & Taylor, where her practice focused on the home venue to the legal disputes Business Delaware (CPBD) advocacy . I’ve been having conversations with commercial, corporate, and alternative for the state’s more than 1 million legal group has lambasted the state’s lack Judiciary Committee Chairman Darius e Prosperity Partnership, entity litigation in the Court of Chancery. incorporations, any appointments to of diversity on its top courts and even Brown said the “judicial nominations put y connected me with a CEO. “Vice Chancellor McCormick has the the bench are scrutinized by corporate drawn the attention of civil rights forward today by Governor John Carney nnected me with someone experience and good judgment necessary America. It is the judges, who are leader Al Sharpton. Despite their public will bring much needed racial and gender king at manufacturing leasing, and to serve as the next Chancellor of the expected to have a large degree of push, Carney’s nominations would, diversity to the Delaware Judiciary … He ’t say too much at this point about Delaware Court of Chancery, and make business litigation experience, and if confirmed, continue an all-white deserves tremendous credit for this historic ” said Wdowik, the president and sure Delaware’s preeminent business not juries who hear the cases that judiciary on the Court of Chancery. progress, and I look forward to confirming ngels. “That network is court is well prepared for the future,” the involve shareholders, executives, In a statement issued shortly after these eight highly-qualified and well-vetted dy how we’re working. There’s a governor said in announcing the picks. and corporate boards. the picks were announced, State Senate nominees later this month.”

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14 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com

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Employers interested in sponsoring a virtual booth email [email protected] -Find out which employers offer careers that align with student skills, interests and passions -Explore local employers to learn about their culture, values and mission -Hear from JA volunteers who work at these places to learn about their educational and career paths -Discover the skills and attitudes that help people get and keep the job of their dreams FREE to all 7-12th grade students, PRE-REGISTRATION and Prep Activity REQUIRED before attending. Brief follow-up activity will bring it all together as your students create and act on their Student Success Plans. Once registered, all of the digital content provided by each employer is available for 90-days using the unique student login credential. Carney nominates McCormick, Will for Chancer Angel investor network lands in Sussex County

BY KATIE TABELING lot of good ideas out there, but there’s greatest strength is the diversity of its Vice Chancellor not a lot of capital in Delaware.” members and a broad focus, Wdowik GEORGETOWN — Mark Wdowik Unlike venture capital funds, angel said, as its members weigh prospects for McCormick has the hasn’t been in Delaware too long, but networks are a membership organization pre-revenue startups or those with $50 he’s already starting to get a feel for with experienced management to vet million in the bank looking to expand. experience and good how interconnected things are in the investment opportunities on behalf of Wdowik previously led his own judgment necessary First State. its members. There is no valuation of startup company, Bandgap Technology There’s a lot of good That’s exactly the network, as each member has the Corporation, then valued at $50 to serve as the next what he was opportunity to opt in — or out — of million, and later moved on to launch ideas out there, but looking for when an investment. a boutique banking and investment Chancellor of the he opened a firm. He was later brought on at the there’s not a lot of Delaware Court of second location University of Kansas to teach how to capital in Delaware. of East Coast start up companies, and eventually other (EC) Angels, a universities hired him to start venture MARK WDOWIK North Carolina- million funds to secure private dollars. He led Mark Wdowik based angel $2.3 Delaware’s preeminent funds at Colorado State University, President and CEO of EC Angels investor network, Invested in six investments since University of North Carolina at business court is well in Sussex EC Angels launched in 2019 Charlotte, and East Carolina University. prepared for the future. County. With international members of Delaware’s strategic location to the accredited investors looking for projects Northeast corridor and its beaches JOHN CARNEY in search of capital that inspire them and marked it as the best location for both to evaluate when they have the time. If would see a great return-of-investment, EC members must qualify as an business and family, Wdowik said. someone takes an interest in it, they will Governor EC Angels accredited investor: with $200,000 in Investment opportunities land on EC make a package, and ask if anyone else is thrives on a strong network to bring individual annual income, $300,000 Angel’s radar four ways: through the interested, and then it goes from there.” good ideas to the table. income per household or assets valued university network that Wdowik has EC Angels plans to tap into University “I’ve been having conversations with Judiciary Committee Chairman Darius at $1 million. The network includes cultivated over the past 20 years, of Delaware and its assorted programs, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, Brown said the “judicial nominations put members from Washington, D.C., North referrals from professional services, similar to what Wdowik has done and they connected me with a CEO. forward today by Governor John Carney Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Virginia, other angels, and pitches. through East Carolina University in That CEO connected me with someone will bring much needed racial and g Colorado, California, Hong Kong and “I personally sit through 130 pitches the past. There’s some possibilities of looking at manufacturing leasing, and diversity to the Delaware Judiciary … Vietnam. before narrowing them down to a building off existing federal programs I can’t say too much at this point about deserves tremendous credit f Since EC Angels launched in 2019, handful to bring to the network,” for rural communities like southern that,” said Wdowik, the president and progress, and I look forward to confir the network has invested $2.3 million he said. “Whatever does catch our Delaware that could catch an investor’s CEO of EC Angels. “That network is these eight highly-qualified and well-v in six investments, ranging between attention is put through our Slack eye if they were looking for an upfront already how we’re working. There’s a nominees later this month.” $75,000 and $1.2 million. EC Angels’ [instant messaging] channel, for people return on investment, Wdowik said.

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DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 15

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Northbound traffi c on Interstate 95 has been diverted onto the historically southbound lanes during the fi rst portion of the Restore the Corridor project through Wilmington. DBT PHOTO BY SCOTT SERIO

affic is halted as President Joe Biden’s As long-awaited I-95 surgery begins, cade travels between Air Force One at Wilmington port and his home away from the White House on ley Mill Road. e have also been residential noise complaints about n work at the Riverfront interchange. While DelDOT manages Wilmington impact ctivity is scheduled for daytime work, Amtrak nstruction work above its tracks take place ewer trains are passing through. BY ROGER MORRIS ignore the signs routing them around the chaos via I-495. ny major highway construction project of this size and Contributing Writer When that occurs, Smyrna tries to quickly clear up traffic by ation has two facets – first, engineering and construction prescribing alternate routes, contacting emergency services and second, the planning that goes into minimizing WILMINGTON – Inside a nondescript office building in alerting drivers through electronic highway signs, special apps uption it causes the community.Will commutes the countryside outside of Smyrna, employees of the Delaware and social networks. me a nightmare? How will alternate routing work? Department of Transportation (DelDOT) sit huddled in a spacious, “We can make changes here in real time,” said Donald l neighborhoods along the route be bombarded with darkened room filled with blinking TV monitors, watching remotely Weber, who, as DelDOT’s chief of traffic operations e noise and dirt? Can businesses still be easily as the morning rush hour unfolds on the screens in front of them and management, oversees this nerve center which Will it be an economic loss or gain? along a 3-mile stretch of Interstate 95 that snakes through the heart monitors statewide traffic, though concentrating for of Wilmington, 40 miles to the north. It is late March, a few weeks the duration on I-95 in Wilmington via a system cuses after the launch of the $200-million, two-year “Restore the Corridor” FALL 2023 of stationary and vehicle-mounted cameras, OT was determined drivers couldn’t use the rehabilitation project following seven years of planning and hundreds Bluetooth monitors, microwave detectors of internal DelDOT meetings and community forums. COMPLETION “No one told us” or “Why can’t I get updated and other paraphernalia that feed a mountain ’s happening?” once the project was underway. This morning, north and south traffic, crammed into what had of information into this traffic center. Plus, in 28, two weeks before the Restore the Corridor been southbound-only lanes, is running relatively smoothly, with only preparation for re-routing, all 219 traffic signals in ork was to begin on Feb. 12 (actual construction minor backup as northbound traffic approaches the Riverfront exit. Wilmington were outfitted before construction and are ted March 1), DelDOT held a virtual public meeting Yet, while the DelDOT crew is breathing easier today, they report that remotely controlled and adjusted for timing from Smyrna. Webex, widely publicized in advance in the media. many mornings in the past month its Smyrna traffic monitors have Some measures to alleviate traffic problems, such as changing nth later, on Feb. 24, DelDOT bridge design been awash in acute driver malfunctions, regardless of DelDOT’s highway message boards, can be programmed automatically, while aig Stevens (“the Bridge Guy”) opened a best efforts. others are adjusted by Weber and his crew, which is on the job 24/7. nd Webex meeting with a touch of humor, saying On those days, commuters who failed to explore alternate routes curse A month into the two-year project, the main problem encountered is w would be recorded and posted on the project the fates while rehearsing excuses for being late for their 9:15 meeting one that DelDOT can’t control: aggressive and inattentive drivers. , www.restorethecorridor.com, “like old M*A*S*H* or missing the 8:47 Amtrak to New York. Drivers who have patiently “We had about 50 accidents in the corridor during the first month,” ” Remotely scattered in other locations, other remained in the clogged through lane do battle with deplorables trying Weber reported, noting almost all major traffic tie-ups have been a OT personnel and employees of consulting design to cut back in from the exit-only lane. Triple-taskers, checking apps and result of accidents. Whitman, Requardt & Associates and general messages while texting family members, discover with a jolt they have However, separate DelDOT work at interchanges west of the actor Kiewit talked and answered questions.To rear-ended the SUV in front of them. And husbands and wives construction area, especially at Route 141, is causing additional delays. project work had gotten off to a slow start because, on vacation from other states bicker because one of them chose to Then, too, there are what DelDOT workers refer to as “Joe Jams” – ys since it began, there had been an ice storm, ate snowstorms and a heavy rain – not ideal

16 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com those times when traffic is halted as President Joe Biden’s weather for construction or traffic. “In 2014, we identified two motorcade travels between Air Force One at Wilmington Stevens explained that Restore the Corridor I-95 bridge projects that we knew Airport and his home away from the White House on is essentially a long-needed rehab project for had to be done – the Brandywine Barley Mill Road. a 50-year-old highway, and that no new lanes, River Bridge and the viaduct [the There have also been residential noise complaints about exits or bells and whistles were being added. long stretch of elevated highway demolition work at the Riverfront interchange. While Having the “bridge guy” on hand made sense after the I-495 split] – both big most noisy activity is scheduled for daytime work, Amtrak because this rehabilitation is essentially a bridge projects,” Hastings said. “If we did insists that construction work above its tracks take place project. Along its 3 miles are 19 bridges spanning them back to back, it would take at night when fewer trains are passing through. everything from a river (Christina) and a creek Jason Hasting four years of construction. So we Any major highway construction project of this size and (Brandywine) to marshes, Amtrak lines and made the decision to do them duration has two facets – first, engineering and construction basketball courts (3rd Street). both at the same time.” and, second, the planning that goes into minimizing The idea to handle commuting traffic was simple. It was in August 1968 that the section of I-95 now the disruption it causes the community. Will commutes Instead of people entering the city in its middle via being rehabilitated was completed through Wilmington become a nightmare? How will alternate routing work? I-95, they would instead be encouraged to enter from to Route 202 – a controversial in-town route dividing Will neighborhoods along the route be bombarded with the edges – routes 4, 13, 48, 52 and 202. Through traffic the city’s northwestern neighborhoods from downtown excessive noise and dirt? Can businesses still be easily would be directed to use I-495 while within the city – and 50 years is a long time in highway age, especially accessed? Will it be an economic loss or gain? pre-construction work had been finished on access lanes bridges. As Hastings saw it, the public would understand and streets adjacent to the corridor. If all went well, the the rehab even as they grumbled about it. Just Drive, No Excuses project would be completed by mid-2023. One engineer “We decided not to do anything to change the noted that the work being done during these two years DelDOT was determined drivers couldn’t use the footprint,” he said. “It was maintenance, and people “can improve the service life of the corridor for another excuses, “No one told us” or “Why can’t I get updated understand the need for that. They have to maintain 30 years.” Mark your calendar for a 2053 repeat. on what’s happening?” once the project was underway. their houses and their cars without anything being Throughout the Webex meeting – like fundraising On Jan. 28, two weeks before the Restore the Corridor improved.” campaigns for public TV – the narrative was interrupted prep work was to begin on Feb. 12 (actual construction Beginning in the summer of 2018, regularly scheduled by messages for listeners to frequently check the website started March 1), DelDOT held a virtual public meeting meetings were held with members of a community advisory for updates, to download the app and to pay attention via Webex, widely publicized in advance in the media. group to hear concerns, involve them in contingency to news on social media. One month later, on Feb. 24, DelDOT bridge design planning and ultimately get them to back the project. “They wanted to be sure we weren’t giving out the engineer Craig Stevens (“the Bridge Guy”) opened a Two Bridges, One Project second Webex meeting with a touch of humor, saying message that ‘Wilmington is closed,’ especially the the show would be recorded and posted on the project “I’m still involved, but the construction manager has Riverfront,” Hastings said. website, www.restorethecorridor.com, “like old M*A*S*H* pretty much taken over,” said Jason Hastings via a Webex So intensive planning began, and design consultants reruns.” Remotely scattered in other locations, other call on a warmish early March afternoon a week into and construction firms were asked to submit bids. The DelDOT personnel and employees of consulting design the I-95 restoration. Hastings, who as DelDOT’s chief primary contract was awarded to Kiewit, a huge builder firm Whitman, Requardt & Associates and general of bridges and structures, has for the past seven years of highways and airports globally, whose headquarters is contractor Kiewit talked and answered questions. To shepherded the project from “need to do” to “now under in Omaha, Neb. In spite of detailed planning, Hastings begin, project work had gotten off to a slow start because, construction,” transmits that relaxed look of a grad student said the work was “relatively routine engineering.” in the 12 days since it began, there had been an ice storm, whose time-consuming thesis has just been approved by two moderate snowstorms and a heavy rain – not ideal the faculty committee. Continued on page 18

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 17 SPOTLIGHT: TRANSPORTATION TLIGHT: TRANSPORTATION I-95 Continued from page 17 on drives Delaware Federal funding covered 80% of the planning stage, he said, but the bulk of the construction is being borne by Delaware through Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles ibution market surge (GARVEEs) that allow states to pay debt service and other bond-related expenses with future federal highway funds. OWENS Conveniently, there was space available for the construction work center on the third floor of DART Transit LMINGTON – The findings of headquarters off Lower Beech Street, adjacent to where okerage report that Amazon’s railroad tracks pass under the highway at the Riverfront ctically insatiable growth is leading exit on their way to Joseph R. Biden Amtrak Stations. m of industrial and distribution “That saved us $1.5 million,” Hastings said. ce in Delaware probably won’t When the massive DelDOT Route 301 Middletown prise many. bypass project (14 miles, $636 million) was opened to ale of that growth may toll traffic in January 2019, Hastings’ – and DelDOT’s – attention “pivoted’' to the Restore the Corridor project. mmerce giant had 7 million e feet of space in Delaware either Voices along the Corridor ation or under development as ebruary, according to a report by As Delaware’s largest private employer (more than wmark, a major brokerage that closely 12,000 people) and chief purveyor of both routine and ks the state market. With last-mile emergency medical services, perhaps no institution ery centers announced in Delaware has a greater stake in the I-95 rework than does y, Newport and Seaford, Amazon now ChristianaCare. The highway is a primary pathway e space under contract than the for its employees to get to work, patients to arrive The Delaware Department of Transportation monitors the Restore the Corridor work from its Smyrna headquarters using a system of cameras and e Wilmington central business district, at its three hospitals and emergency vehicles to sensors. | DBT PHOTO BY ROGER MORRIS h measures 7.3 million square feet. transport those in need of urgent care. It’s hard to overstate the ‘Amazon “We’ve focused on timing – ect’ in the First State,” Newmark letting patients and employees There are no tourist-centric, fast-food restaurants along DelDOT requirement – with 11% of them DBE, ch manager Lisa DeNight wrote, know by internal messaging the affected stretch of I-95, and places of lodging in the or disadvantaged business enterprise, contracts nly the San Antonio and social media to start early area have not reported a decline in traffic. for minority- and women-owned businesses. ket has more square footage under and expect delays,” said Sharon “A silver lining is that the project is bringing an influx As it turns out, Kiewit and Arant are no strangers elopment by Amazon than Delaware. Kurfuerst, chief operating officer of project workers interested in exploring the downtown to the state. “We did the construction work on State ew Castle County, 5.9 million for the health care system. “We’ve area,” said Greg Kavanagh, managing director of Hotel Route 1 in Rehoboth,” Arrant said, adding proudly, e feet of industrial space was under put an ambulance at Wilmington Du Pont. Similarly, Christiane Kwansa, sales manager “We were the only bidder that could do the two Sharon Kurfuerst Hospital and now have a standby for Homewood Suites at the Riverfront, has seen no bridges in one season.” And, although the Restore the helicopter ready.” decline in business. Corridor project only started in March, Kiewit has Contingency plans with emergency responders have been working on its planning since it was awarded been worked out. Additionally, DelDOT prepared The Talk of Lower Beech Street the contract a year earlier. helicopter landing sites around the city in case of a major emergency not related to its work. Whoever designed the headquarters for DART, a The Road Forward In addition to DelDOT, the city of Wilmington DelDOT subsidiary, at 113 Lower Beech St., probably did “spent millions of dollars to repave streets” for traffic not win awards for bright and cheery workspaces. The third As the Covid pandemic lessens – as it appears to be diversion, said John Rago, deputy chief of staff to floor hallways, where the I-95 project has its operations doing – and as the project extends over the next two Mayor Purzycki. center, are institutionally dark and narrow. Yet the walls are years, traffic will get thicker as more employees return “Most city streets look pretty good today as a result convenient places to tape up yards-long project schematics, to office buildings, and driver patience will get thinner. and are ready for increased travel,” Rago said. giving all engineers easy access. Most importantly, it is There are phases 1B, 2A, 2B and 2C yet to come. Megan McGlinchey, executive located in the middle of the project area, and all the design “Our intention is not to overload people with details at director of the Riverfront and construction staff are located together for easier the moment,” DelDOT spokesman C.R. McLeod said. Development Corporation, said conferring. “Our plan is to explain as we go along.” she was initially concerned that On the day after Easter, a sunny Additionally, once normal traffic is restored, there the exit ramp to the area would spring morning, Donnie Arant will be additional cleanup and cosmetic work under be closed and that alternate routes is being driven on an inspection the bridges. would not be clearly marked, but tour over the rough surfaces of As with many things, the project’s timing proved to “they heard our concerns and the construction zone, his head be a silver lining in the dark cloud of COVID-19. Megan McGlinchey responded well.” bobbing up and down and his eyes “Seventy-five percent of I-95 traffic through James Spadola, president of the masked by large sunglasses, as he Wilmington is local,” Hastings said, “and traffic Delaware Avenue Community Association, also gives is being interviewed on Teams. was already off 10-15% before the project started.” Helping to Fuel Delaware’s Econocmy DelDOT high marks for addressing the group’s traffic Donnie Arant Arant is manager, or in Kiewit Those who have lived through similar road construction HelpingHelping to to Fuel Fuel Delaware’s Delaware’s EconocmyEconomy concerns. terms, “sponsor,” of the project projects urge patience and common sense. HelpingHelpingHelpingHelping to to to to to Fuel Fuel Fuel Fuel Fuel Delaware’sDelaware’s Delaware’s Delaware’s EconocmyEconomy Econocmy Econocmy Ken Grant, public and government affairs manager and lives nearby in Columbia, Md. And while Kiewit’s “We call it the Middletown Autobahn,” said Roxane HelpingHelpingHelpingHelping to to totoFuel Fuel FuelFuel Delaware’s Delaware’s Delaware’s EconocmyEconomy EconomyEconomy for Mid-Atlantic AAA, has spent hours communicating main office is in Omaha, its regional headquarters is Ferguson, executive director of the Middletown Area HelpingHelpingHelping to to to Fuel Fuel Fuel Delaware’s Delaware’s Econocmy Econocmy Econocmy how to navigate the region to members locally, regionally just west of the Baltimore-Washington International Chamber of Commerce referring to the U.S. 301 bypass, and nationally as well as those accessing the agency’s Airport. “and all in all its construction was a minor inconvenience. services and retail store at One River Place. “Actually, some of my supervisors live up this way,” Our businesses weren’t seriously affected, although we do Most Wilmington businesses still have most he said, while others have bought or rented houses get some complaints from Maryland shoppers who have employees working remotely. locally for the duration. Although Kiewit was the big to pay a toll on 301.” “We haven’t yet defined a timeline for when some economic winner when the contract was awarded in Perhaps the most constructive advice comes from Sasha employees will begin returning to our offices, but it will November 2019, the project is also a boon to the local Aber, whose Home Grown Café recently experienced a not be until sometime after June 1,” said Thom Sueta, economy. “We have hired some local supervisors, and we similar two-year tear-up along Main Street in Newark. director of corporate communications for Chemours, employ about 100 people in the craft trades – all of them “The traffic wasn’t that bad, and there were plenty of which is headquartered in the city’s downtown. “When union jobs, with most of the workers from Delaware places to park,” Aber said. “What was really bad was the that return is planned, we will communicate more and Pennsylvania.” Additionally, a large number of media saying how terrible everything was and scaring proactively with them.” subcontracts are being made to local companies – a customers away.”

18 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com SPOTLIGHT: TRANSPORTATION SPOTLIGHT: TRANSPORTATION Amazon drives Delaware distribution market surge

BY JACOB OWENS construction as of February, and 90% of it was pre-leased. That development WILMINGTON – The findings of pipeline represents nearly a quarter of a recent brokerage report that Amazon’s Delaware’s existing industrial inventory Amazon will occupy a 3.8 million-square-foot distribution center at the former GM Boxwood plant, its biggest practically insatiable growth is leading and exceeds the combined volume of investment in Delaware so far, starting this summer. | DBT PHOTO BY MIKE ROCHELEAU to a boom of industrial and distribution space delivered in the past 20 years. space in Delaware probably won’t Industrial development, much less surprise many. institutional-grade projects, has been because more space is available in enter the Delaware market is a major The sheer scale of that growth may scarce in Delaware in recent years. As land favorable areas, typically near highways. win for Delaware, and that space was though. dwindles in other popular regional areas “It's all about location,” she said, absorbed pretty quickly between The e-commerce giant had 7 million like the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania explaining that “first-mile” warehouses like Amazon and others.” square feet of space in Delaware either and parts of New Jersey, however, more the 3.8 million-square-foot distribution Wills Elliman, senior managing in operation or under development as developers are turning their sights south. center planned for Boxwood can feed into director for Newmark’s Wilmington of February, according to a report by Three major projects – the 142-acre a network of smaller “last-mile” delivery office, noted that he’s also dealt with Newmark, a major brokerage that closely redevelopment of the former GM centers before reaching your doorstep. clients looking for 100,000 square tracks the state market. With last-mile Boxwood plant by Dermody Properties John Taylor, director of economic feet or more in the area because they delivery centers announced in Delaware in Newport, the 190-acre redevelopment research for Delaware Prosperity supply Amazon. City, Newport and Seaford, Amazon now of the AkzoNobel plant by Northpoint Partnership, the state’s economic While DeNight said that there are has more space under contract than the Development near Delaware City, development agency, said Delaware still parcels large enough to develop into The Delaware Department of Transportation monitors the Restore the Corridor work from its Smyrna headquarters using a system of cameras and entire Wilmington central business district, and the 125-acre development of Blue “certainly has an opportunity for further further distribution and logistics sites in sensors. | DBT PHOTO BY ROGER MORRIS which measures 7.3 million square feet. Diamond Park by Stoltz Real Estate growth in distribution throughout the New Castle County, development may “It’s hard to overstate the ‘Amazon Partners near Bear – have turbocharged state” even aside from Amazon. begin to creep farther south as Route Effect’ in the First State,” Newmark that interest in the past few years. All of “Other distribution companies like 1 provides a convenient path up to DelDOT requirement – with 11% of them DBE, research manager Lisa DeNight wrote, them are now home to Amazon projects. USA Fulfillment have announced growth Interstate 95. or disadvantaged business enterprise, contracts noting that only the San Antonio DeNight noted that industrial growth in Kent County, while companies like “A good example is Salem County, for minority- and women-owned businesses. market has more square footage under nationwide has been trending toward Dart Container and Newacme have N.J., which was just nothing on the end As it turns out, Kiewit and Arant are no strangers development by Amazon than Delaware. secondary markets like Wilmington targeted New Castle County,” of the New Jersey Turnpike, and now it's to the state. “We did the construction work on State In New Castle County, 5.9 million over the past few years, not because he said. “Having national developers like a very competitive part of South Jersey’s Route 1 in Rehoboth,” Arrant said, adding proudly, square feet of industrial space was under rents are typically cheaper there but Dermody Properties and NorthPoint industrial landscape,” she said. “We were the only bidder that could do the two bridges in one season.” And, although the Restor Corridor project only started in March, Kiewit has been working on its planning since it was awarded the contract a year earlier. The Road Forward

As the Covid pandemic lessens – as it appears to be doing – and as the project extends over the next two years, traffic will get thicker as more employees return to office buildings, and driver patience will g There are phases 1B, 2A, 2B and 2C yet to come. “Our intention is not to overloa the moment,” DelDOT spokesman C.R. McLeod said. “Our plan is to explain as we go along.” Additionally, once normal traffic is restored, there will be additional cleanup and cosmetic work under the bridges. As with many things, the project’s timing prov be a silver lining in the dark cloud of COVID-19. “Seventy-five percent of I-95 traffic through Wilmington is local,” Hastings said,“and traffic was already off 10-15% before the project started.” Helping to Fuel Delaware’s Econocmy Those who have lived through similar road constr HelpingHelping to to Fuel Fuel Delaware’s Delaware’s EconocmyEconomy projects urge patience and common sense. HelpingHelpingHelpingHelping to to to to to Fuel Fuel Fuel Fuel Fuel Delaware’sDelaware’s Delaware’s Delaware’s EconocmyEconomy Econocmy Econocmy “We call it the Middletown Autobahn,” said Roxane HelpingHelpingHelpingHelping to to totoFuel Fuel FuelFuel Delaware’s Delaware’s Delaware’s EconocmyEconomy EconomyEconomy Ferguson, executive director of the Middletown Area HelpingHelpingHelping to to to Fuel Fuel Fuel Delaware’s Delaware’s Econocmy Econocmy Econocmy Chamber of Commerce referring to the U.S. 301 bypass, “and all in all its construction was a minor inconvenience. Our businesses weren’t seriously affected, although we do get some complaints from Maryland shoppers who have to pay a toll on 301.” Perhaps the most constructive advice comes from S Aber, whose Home Grown Café recently experienced a similar two-year tear-up along Main Street in Newark. “The traffic wasn’t that bad, and there were plent places to park,” Aber said.“What was really ba media saying how terrible everything was and scaring customers away.”

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 19 SPOTLIGHT: TRANSPORTATION TLIGHT: TRANSPORTATION w report to study future May-Lewes Ferry

KATIE TABELING

EWES — For nearly 60 years, lions of tourists and commuters e soaked in spectacular views while n the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The Delaware Coastal Airport in Sussex County was built in the 1940s, but with years of work and millions of l not change, the dollars spent in improvements, an expanded runway may bring even larger planes. In turn, that could cause ansport passengers might a boom in companies that support those aircrafts. | DBT PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSSEX COUNTY k different and be more energy- icient in the near future. e River & Bay Authority Southern airports could be BA), which operates the interstate y service, contracted marine hitecture firm Elliott Bay Design drivers for Delaware growth oup for $1.5 million for a year to erry’s master plan and ough design of a new BY KATIE TABELING 10,000-square-foot hangers to fit the bill Elliot Bay plans to issue a for storage and maintenance. t by the end of this year. Through investing more in That proposal is currently being vetted BA has the option to extend infrastructure or inking new agreements, by the Federal Aviation Administration ntract for up to three years, which Kent and Sussex County officials hope before the county draws up a contract with y include a detailed vessel design to that their respective county airports will the Schell brothers, who are prominent or competitive bids and managing take off as a new economic engine. Sussex County homebuilders that see the uction. State officials have budgeted In Georgetown, the Delaware Coastal airport to further entice new residents. lion in 2024 and another $40 Airport in Georgetown sees around Meanwhile in central Delaware, lion in 2025 for one new vessel. 60 aircrafts from private flyers and Kent Economic Partnership Executive What’s really driving this is the age corporations. It’s also a key hub for some Director Linda Parkowski is still waiting Some of the vessels are unexpected partners: Walmart, Food Lion on a new user agreement for the Civil ears old right now and they’re and other grocery stores looking to ship Air Terminal, which sits on the northern food south on the Delmarva Peninsula. edge of Dover Air Force Base (AFB). But Delaware Coastal Airport For the past two years, Kent County Manager Robert Bryant sees it as a officials and other government agencies balancing act between maintaining the have been working on the details for airport’s use for the local community the joint-use facility that is poised to while marketing to larger businesses. revolutionize demand and business “We’d like to see business similar to Aloft come, support the aviation through growth. The current agreement lasted for maintenance and overhauling aircraft and 25 years and limited civil use to 13,500 generate jobs,” Bryant added. “But we takeoffs and landings per year, while need to have the infrastructure to meet requiring a 72-hour notice for flights. that. One thing that [Delaware Coastal] The proposed new agreement, which is being worked on, would be for 50 years & has that we didn’t have in Salisbury is Slow Down in-ground infrastructure, and that goes and is proposed to almost double Civil a long way to lure businesses.” Air Terminal’s annual limit to 25,000 Bryant pointed out that Sussex County takeoffs and landings, while eliminating had one advantage: space and shovel- advance notice. ready sites. He served as the Salisbury- The new agreement would also grant Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport aircrafts access to Dover AFB’s runways, CONSTRUCTION Drive Safely director until 2016 and attempted to which at 12,900 and 9,600 feet — are court Aloft AeroArchitects to come among Delaware’s longest. to Salisbury, Md., but it became clear “It would be a huge game-changer that the airport did not fit the bill. for the Civil Air Terminal and the Aloft AeroArchitects moved to potential use of the facility for 50 Georgetown in 1998 and now employs years,” Parkowski said. up to 215 employees. Right now, NASCAR events bring Plans to expand the runway from roughly 50 aircraft to the Civil Air 5,500 feet to 6,000 feet are underway, Terminal for about a week once a year. granting larger aircraft the ability to But Parkowski believes that opening the fly into the airport and easily reach airport to more use will be sure to attract Sign Up for Project Alerts the nearby business park. But that more commercial and business flights, will require $6 million to realign Park which in turn, would spur companies Avenue, so that trucks and cars will not to the neighboring Kent County be so close to planes attempting to land. AeroPark and nearby areas. With a larger runway able to draw “Airports are proven demand generators, larger planes, Sussex County officials and we’re fortunate to have two in central also eye servicing small commercial Delaware,” Parkowski said. “Once we work RestoreTheCorridor.com planes, like a Gulfstream jet. The Schell through the agreement, we’re planning on Brothers have proposed building two a full-court press for marketing.”

20 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com SPOTLIGHT: TRANSPORTATION SPOTLIGHT: TRANSPORTATION New report to study future of Cape May-Lewes Ferry

BY KATIE TABELING getting difficult to repair since the parts The M/V Delaware runs on a engine first designed by a manufacturer that specialized in engines in World War are becoming scarce. It’s costing more II submarines. The Delaware River & Bay Authority contracted a marine architecture firm to study a potential replacement vessel. | PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA LEWES — For nearly 60 years, money to repair them, but of course, millions of tourists and commuters we’re taking in other considerations like have soaked in spectacular views while customer experience and whether it “The company doesn’t exist any or for a daily commute. cruising on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. could be environmentally friendly,” more and it certainly doesn’t have any Declines in ridership led the DRBA to The Delaware Coastal Airport in Sussex County was built in the 1940s, but with years of work and millions of While that vista will not change, the said Heath Gehrke, DRBA director emissions controls at all, compared with start thinking about selling the last of the dollars spent in improvements, an expanded runway may bring even larger planes. In turn, that could cause vessels that transport passengers might a boom in companies that support those aircrafts. | DBT PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSSEX COUNTY of ferry operations. new diesel engines that come right off original vessels, the M/V Twin Capes, look different and be more energy- The Cape May-Lewes Ferry runs four the shelf,” said Robert Eske, president but ultimately turned it into an artificial efficient in the near future. vessels, each with an open car deck and of Elliott Bay Design Group, who is reef in the ocean off Bethany Beach in The Delaware River & Bay Authority capacity to carry 800 passengers the 17 tasked with leading the firm’s efforts 2018. DRBA spokesman James Salmon Southern airports could be (DRBA), which operates the interstate miles across the Delaware Bay. The first in analysing the fleet. told DBT that the ferry operation ferry service, contracted marine voyage in 1964 was launched with a mix Changing the WWII-era engine ran on a $8 million deficit before the architecture firm Elliott Bay Design of steamships and diesel-powered ships would reduce emissions, but Eske sees COVID-19 pandemic forced it to drivers for Delaware gr Group for $1.5 million for a year to bought from the defunct Little Creek- some potential to explore other motors draw back on trips. update the ferry’s master plan and Cape Charles Ferry in Virginia. and there could be federal funding to When 2020 ended, the ferry generated produce a rough design of a new Today, the DRBA uses two ferries support it. Right now, Elliott Bay is $6.8 million in revenue — about half of 10,000-square-foot hangers to f vessel. Elliot Bay plans to issue a from the original fleet — the M/V New in the process of designing a battery- the revenue it drew in the previous year, for storage and maintenance. report by the end of this year. Jersey and M/V Delaware — that still powered vessel for the trip between according to DRBA revenue and traffic That proposal is currently being vetted The DRBA has the option to extend operate on diesel engines from the 1970s. Seattle and Bremerton, Wash., data. Hampered by the pandemic, just by the Federal Aviation Administration the contract for up to three years, which Both vessels have been renovated over capable of traveling at 16 knots. under a half a million passengers used before the county draws up a contra may include a detailed vessel design to the years, including a $17 million project But it’s also a balancing act between the ferry last year. the Schell brothers, who are prominent use for competitive bids and managing on the M/V New Jersey that started last ridership and customer services. Gehrke But Gehrke points out that ridership Sussex County ho construction. State officials have budgeted November. That renovation includes said the ferry primarily serves as a tourist this month is up 40% compared to April airport to further entice new residents. $10 million in 2024 and another $40 removing and replacing the Fairbanks attraction, but sees a lot of passengers 2019, and the ferry is still running on Meanwhile in central Delaware, million in 2025 for one new vessel. Morse diesel engine, first designed by make the trip to see their family either reduced capacity. He also pointed out Kent Economic Partnership Executive “What’s really driving this is the age the company to serve as backup power in Lewes or in Cape May, N.J. A small that studies have shown for every $1 Director Linda Parkowski is stil of the fleet. Some of the vessels are on U.S. nuclear submarines during percentage of fares are for commercial spent on a ticket is another $20 spent on a new user agreement for the Civil 40-plus years old right now and they’re World War II. use, like ferrying goods across the bay, in the local economy. Air Terminal, which sits on the nor edge of Dover Air Force Base (AFB). For the past two years, Kent County officials and other government ag have been working on the details for the joint-use facility that is poised to revolutionize demand and business growth. The current agr 25 y takeoffs and landings per year, while requiring a 72-hour notice for flights. The proposed new agreement, whic is being worked on, would be for 50 y Slow Down & and is proposed to almost double Civil Air Terminal’s annual limit to 25,000 takeoffs and landings, advance notice. The new agreement would also gr aircrafts access to Dover AFB’s runwa CONSTRUCTION Drive Safely which at 12,900 and 9,600 feet — are among Delaware’s longest. “It would be a huge game-changer for the Civil Air Terminal and the potential use of the facility for 50 years,” Parkowski said. Right now, NASCAR events bring roughly 50 aircraft to the Civil Air Terminal for about a week once a year. But Parkowski believ airport to more use will be sure to attr Sign Up for Project Alerts more commercial and business flights, which in turn, would spur companies to the neighboring Kent County AeroPark and nearby areas. “Airports are proven demand gener and we’re fortunate to have two in centr Delaware,” Parkowski said. “Once we w RestoreTheCorridor.com through the agreement, we’re planning o a full-court press for marketing.”

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 21 LIST utomotive Dealerships ted by Dealership Locations EDITION Number Phone of DE Year Company Website Locations Car Brands Person in charge Founded Supporting Delaware by Hertrich Family of Acura - New Castle; Buick and GMC - Seaford; Chevrolet - Dover; Ford - Dealerships (302) 678-4553 Milford; Ford - Seaford; Genesis - New Castle; Hyundai - New Castle; Lincoln - Frederick W. PO Box 838 hertrichs.com 14 Dover; Lincoln - Milford; Mitsubishi - New Castle; Nissan - Dover; Toyota - Hertrich IV 1964 INNOVATION showcasing innovation Milford, DE 19963 Milford (Regional VP) SHOWCASING I.G. Burton (302) 422-3041 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac - Lewes; Mercedes Benz, BMW and Charles L. Burton DELAWARE’S 793 Bay Rd igburton.com 8 Chevrolet - Milford; Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT - MilfordChevrolet - (President) 1908 INNOVATORS DELAWARE Milford, DE 19963 Seaford; Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram - Smyrna across the First State Porter Auto (302) 453-6800 Cory Porter | SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 414 E Cleveland Ave 5 Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, Infiniti, Nissan - Newark 1925 MANUFACTURING & LOGISTICS Newark, DE 19711 porterauto.com (President) Price Automotive Group Delaware companies are leading the nation 168 N Dupont Hwy (302) 322-8600 4 Acura and Honda - Dover; Toyota - New Castle; Toyota - Newark Guy Winer 1986 New Castle, DE 19720 pricetoyota.com (General Manger) with innovation across several industries. Union Park Automotive Group (302) 658-7245 Frank A. 1704 Pennsylvania Ave unionpark.com 4 BMW, Buick, GMC, Honda, Jaguar and Volvo - Wilmington Ursomarso 1955 The Innovation Delaware magazine highlights Wilmington, DE 19805 (Chairman) AutoTeam Delaware Michael S. Uffner companies and their technological achievements 1606 Pennsylvania Ave. (302) 656-3100 3 Cadillac, Subaru, Kia - Wilmington (President and 1916 Wilmington, DE 19806 autoteamdelaware.com CEO) in a beautiful four-color, glossy magazine. Carman Auto Group 193 South DuPont Highway (302) 323-2300 3 Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Lincoln and Ram - New Castle Larry Giacchino 1973 New Castle, DE 19720 carmanautogroup.com (President) Martin Newark Dealership 298 E Cleveland Ave (302) 738-5200 3 Martin Honda, Martin Kia, Martin Mazda - Newark Hommy Poursaied 1985 Newark, DE 19711 martindelivers.com (General Manager) Winner Automotive Group 1300 N. Union St. (302) 427-1300 3 Audi - Wilmington; Hyundai, Ford, Subaru and Volkswagon - Dover Michael Hynansky 1966 Wilmington, DE 19806 winnerauto.com (President) DEADLINES Boulevard Ford Lincoln 40 Bridgeville Road (302) 856-2561 2 Lincoln, Ford, Mazda, Hyundai, Chyrsler, Jeep, Ram, Dodge Dave Wilson 1959 Space: May 6, 2021 Georgetown, DE 19947 boulevardfordlincoln.com (President) May 17, 2021 Nucar Auto Group Materials: 174 N DuPont Hwy (302) 322-2438 2 Mazda and Chevrolet - New Castle Dennis Davenport 1982 New Castle, DE 19720 nucar.com (General Manger) Sheridan Auto Group PUBLISHES 4001 Kirkwood Hwy (302) 999-0261 2 Nissan - New Castle; Ford - Wilmington Joe Sheridan 1982 July 6, 2021 Wilmington, DE 19808 sheridanautogroup.com (President) Willis Auto Group BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES (302) 653-6000 Bill Willis | FOOD & AGRICULTURE | 2707 S Dupont Blvd willisgm.com 2 Buick, Chevrolet, Ford (President) 1951 EDUCATION & HEALTHCARE Smyrna, DE 19977 Bayshore Ford 4003 N. DuPont Highway (302) 656-3160 1 Ford Joe Tracy 1976 New Castle, DE 19720 bayshoreford.com (President) Brandywine Chrysler-Jeep 3807 Kirkwood Hwy (302) 998-2271 1 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Robert T Jones 2007 Wilmington, DE 19808 brandywinejeep.com CF Schwartz Toyota 1536 N. DuPont Highway (302) 734-5748 1 Toyota Steve Spangler 1944 Dover, DE 19903 cfschwartztoyota.com (General Manager) Diver Chevrolet 2101 Pennsylvania Ave (302) 575-0161 1 Chevrolet Richard L. Diver 1915 Wilmington, DE 19806 diverchev.com (President) Felton Holly Kia 13173 S DuPont Highway (302) 527-2700 1 Kia Ben Braband 2013 Felton, DE 19943 feltonhollykia.com (General Manager) Bob Hansen (Co- First State Chevrolet (302) 856-2521 Owner) 22694 DuPont Blvd. firststatechevy.com 1 Chevrolet Bill Hansen (Co- 1936 Georgetown, DE 19947 Owner) Co-Owners Holden Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (302) 734-5708 William F. Holden 640 S. Governors Avenue holdendodge.com 1 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram (General Manager) 1945 Dover, DE 19904 Koons Lexus of Wilmington, Inc. (302) 427-4400 Joe Amra (General 2100 Pennsylvania Ave. koonslexusofwilmington.com 1 Lexus Manager) 1991 Manufacturing & Logistics | Science & Technology | Education & Healthcare Wilmington, DE 19806-2442 Land Rover Wilmington Food & Agriculture | Business & Financial Services 4310 Kirkwood Hwy (302) 992-9400 1 Land Rover Rob Burrus 1998 Wilmington, DE 19808 landroverwilmington.net (General Manager) Matt Slap Subaru 255 E. Cleveland Ave. (302) 453-9900 1 Subaru Eve Slap (Owner & 1981 Newark, DE 19711 mattslap.com General Manager) Newark Chrysler Jeep Dodge (302) 731-0100 Lonnie Wood 244 E. Cleveland Ave. newarkcjd.com 1 Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Dodge (Sales Manager) 1979 Newark, DE 19711 Porsche Delaware 1851 Ogletown Road (302) 408-0103 1 Porsche Bill Hansen (Dealer 2016 Newark, DE 19711 porschedelaware.com Principal) Smith Volkswagen, Ltd. 4304 Kirkwood Highway (302) 998-0131 1 Volkswagen Jason Smith 1965 [email protected] | 302.656.1837 Wilmington, DE 19808 smithvw.com (General Manager) ce: Individual company survey responses and Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles data of new car dealers. Researched by: Delaware Business Times. Information for DBT's lists are either generated through public sources or supplied by ganizations through questionnaires. We make every effort to confirm that the lists are comprehensive through industry sources. We assume that information provided by company representatives is accurate and truthful. espond to our requests for information may be excluded from the list or listed at the bottom as Not Ranked (NR).

22 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com THE LIST Automotive Dealerships Sorted by Dealership Locations EDITION Number Phone of DE Year Rank Company Website Locations Car Brands Person in charge Founded Supporting Delaware by Hertrich Family of Acura - New Castle; Buick and GMC - Seaford; Chevrolet - Dover; Ford - Dealerships (302) 678-4553 Milford; Ford - Seaford; Genesis - New Castle; Hyundai - New Castle; Lincoln - Frederick W. 1 PO Box 838 hertrichs.com 14 Dover; Lincoln - Milford; Mitsubishi - New Castle; Nissan - Dover; Toyota - Hertrich IV 1964 INNOVATION showcasing innovation Milford, DE 19963 Milford (Regional VP) SHOWCASING I.G. Burton (302) 422-3041 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac - Lewes; Mercedes Benz, BMW and Charles L. Burton DELAWARE’S 2 793 Bay Rd igburton.com 8 Chevrolet - Milford; Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT - MilfordChevrolet - (President) 1908 INNOVATORS DELAWARE Milford, DE 19963 Seaford; Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram - Smyrna across the First State Porter Auto (302) 453-6800 Cory Porter | SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 3 414 E Cleveland Ave 5 Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, Infiniti, Nissan - Newark 1925 MANUFACTURING & LOGISTICS Newark, DE 19711 porterauto.com (President) Price Automotive Group (302) 322-8600 Guy Winer Delaware companies are leading the nation 4 168 N Dupont Hwy 4 Acura and Honda - Dover; Toyota - New Castle; Toyota - Newark 1986 New Castle, DE 19720 pricetoyota.com (General Manger) with innovation across several industries. Union Park Automotive Group (302) 658-7245 Frank A. 1704 Pennsylvania Ave unionpark.com 4 BMW, Buick, GMC, Honda, Jaguar and Volvo - Wilmington Ursomarso 1955 The Innovation Delaware magazine highlights Wilmington, DE 19805 (Chairman) AutoTeam Delaware (302) 656-3100 Michael S. Uffner companies and their technological achievements 6 1606 Pennsylvania Ave. 3 Cadillac, Subaru, Kia - Wilmington (President and 1916 Wilmington, DE 19806 autoteamdelaware.com CEO) in a beautiful four-color, glossy magazine. Carman Auto Group 193 South DuPont Highway (302) 323-2300 3 Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Lincoln and Ram - New Castle Larry Giacchino 1973 New Castle, DE 19720 carmanautogroup.com (President) Martin Newark Dealership 298 E Cleveland Ave (302) 738-5200 3 Martin Honda, Martin Kia, Martin Mazda - Newark Hommy Poursaied 1985 Newark, DE 19711 martindelivers.com (General Manager) Winner Automotive Group 1300 N. Union St. (302) 427-1300 3 Audi - Wilmington; Hyundai, Ford, Subaru and Volkswagon - Dover Michael Hynansky 1966 Wilmington, DE 19806 winnerauto.com (President) DEADLINES Boulevard Ford Lincoln (302) 856-2561 Dave Wilson 10 40 Bridgeville Road 2 Lincoln, Ford, Mazda, Hyundai, Chyrsler, Jeep, Ram, Dodge 1959 Space: May 6, 2021 Georgetown, DE 19947 boulevardfordlincoln.com (President) May 17, 2021 Nucar Auto Group Materials: 174 N DuPont Hwy (302) 322-2438 2 Mazda and Chevrolet - New Castle Dennis Davenport 1982 New Castle, DE 19720 nucar.com (General Manger) Sheridan Auto Group PUBLISHES 4001 Kirkwood Hwy (302) 999-0261 2 Nissan - New Castle; Ford - Wilmington Joe Sheridan 1982 July 6, 2021 Wilmington, DE 19808 sheridanautogroup.com (President) Willis Auto Group BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES (302) 653-6000 Bill Willis | FOOD & AGRICULTURE | 2707 S Dupont Blvd willisgm.com 2 Buick, Chevrolet, Ford (President) 1951 EDUCATION & HEALTHCARE Smyrna, DE 19977 Bayshore Ford (302) 656-3160 Joe Tracy “That future is an innovation economy... and the states in the best position to 14 4003 N. DuPont Highway 1 Ford 1976 compete for the jobs that are being created will be the ones that embrace innovation, New Castle, DE 19720 bayshoreford.com (President) invest in startups and entrepreneurs, and develop a highly skilled workforce.” Brandywine Chrysler-Jeep — John Carney, Governor, State of Delaware 3807 Kirkwood Hwy (302) 998-2271 1 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Robert T Jones 2007 Wilmington, DE 19808 brandywinejeep.com CF Schwartz Toyota 1536 N. DuPont Highway (302) 734-5748 1 Toyota Steve Spangler 1944 Dover, DE 19903 cfschwartztoyota.com (General Manager) Diver Chevrolet 2101 Pennsylvania Ave (302) 575-0161 1 Chevrolet Richard L. Diver 1915 Wilmington, DE 19806 diverchev.com (President) Felton Holly Kia 13173 S DuPont Highway (302) 527-2700 1 Kia Ben Braband 2013 Felton, DE 19943 feltonhollykia.com (General Manager) Bob Hansen (Co- First State Chevrolet (302) 856-2521 Owner) 22694 DuPont Blvd. firststatechevy.com 1 Chevrolet Bill Hansen (Co- 1936 Georgetown, DE 19947 Owner) Co-Owners Holden Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (302) 734-5708 William F. Holden 640 S. Governors Avenue holdendodge.com 1 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram (General Manager) 1945 Dover, DE 19904 Koons Lexus of Wilmington, Inc. (302) 427-4400 Joe Amra (General 2100 Pennsylvania Ave. koonslexusofwilmington.com 1 Lexus Manager) 1991 Manufacturing & Logistics | Science & Technology | Education & Healthcare Wilmington, DE 19806-2442 Land Rover Wilmington Food & Agriculture | Business & Financial Services 4310 Kirkwood Hwy (302) 992-9400 1 Land Rover Rob Burrus 1998 Wilmington, DE 19808 landroverwilmington.net (General Manager) Matt Slap Subaru 255 E. Cleveland Ave. (302) 453-9900 1 Subaru Eve Slap (Owner & 1981 Newark, DE 19711 mattslap.com General Manager) Newark Chrysler Jeep Dodge (302) 731-0100 Lonnie Wood 244 E. Cleveland Ave. newarkcjd.com 1 Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Dodge (Sales Manager) 1979 Newark, DE 19711 Porsche Delaware 1851 Ogletown Road (302) 408-0103 1 Porsche Bill Hansen (Dealer 2016 Newark, DE 19711 porschedelaware.com Principal) Smith Volkswagen, Ltd. 4304 Kirkwood Highway (302) 998-0131 1 Volkswagen Jason Smith 1965 [email protected] | 302.656.1837 Wilmington, DE 19808 smithvw.com (General Manager) Source: Individual company survey responses and Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles data of new car dealers. Researched by: Delaware Business Times. Information for DBT's lists are either generated through public sources or supplied by individual organizations through questionnaires. We make every effort to confirm that the lists are comprehensive through industry sources. We assume that information provided by company representatives is accurate and truthful. Organizations that do not respond to our requests for information may be excluded from the list or listed at the bottom as Not Ranked (NR).

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 23 NEWS BRIEFS LEADS

For more coverage of these stories, or green technology coverage for his story outside of Seaford from the Penco Corporation their doctor’s office, a local pharmacy, or a visit DelawareBusinessTimes.com “Delaware’s renewable portfolio growing for $1.7 million, according to Sussex County community vaccination event,” said Gov. John out of state,” which detailed how the state’s land records. Carney in a statement. “We’re vaccinating ce: Delaware Ofﬁce of Alcoholic The Venture Business Center includes six thousands of Delawareans each day. I’d DBT wins 9 Delaware Press regulatory framework often benefitted green age Control Commissioner projects in other states. 5,000-square-foot warehouses that are fully encourage all Delawareans to get the shot. Association awards Tabeling won first place for science or leased, although one unnamed tenant is soon That’s how we’ll beat this virus.” LICENSES ISSUED WILMINGTON – Delaware Business Times technology coverage for her August story to move out. Current tenants include Brink’s won nine awards in the 2021 Delaware Press “Looser COVID restrictions boosts appeal transport guard; Ditch Witch underground Donate Delaware continues to supply way Barr, LLC DBA The Pond Association contest, including five first place of telehealth services,” which covered the equipment dealer; plastic molding company local organizations with PPE & Grill; 19266 Coastal Highway, awards that will be entered into a national Polytechnic; poultry equipment company K oth Beach19971; Contact increasing use of telehealth services in the Donate Delaware supported several local competition. Supply and WH Metcalfe. eter Borsari (302) 227-2234; wake of the pandemic. Owens earned first organizations with donations of personal Both editor Jacob Owens and reporter The business center also has a vacant parcel nse Type: Restaurant- On, place for an editorial for an October column protective equipment. Katie Tabeling earned first place awards for that can support another 5,000-square-foot day #15409 titled “Delaware is staring down a crossroads Ursuline Academy received 60 packs of coverage across a spectrum of categories warehouse. Kraus Development is bullish on on its R&D future” about the rapid need to disinfecting wipes and 25 bottles of hand hne, LLC DBA Sonora; 2-3 in the contest that honors print journalism, realizing the land’s full potential and leasing build more-intensive lab space in the state. sanitizer, and St. Edmond’s Academy secured smar Plaza, Newark 19713; television, radio, public relations, novel writing, it out when ready. 200 adult disposable masks, 50 N95 masks tact - Melissa Ferraro & Michael and more. “We’re waiting to see what happens. It’s Kraus Development buys Seaford and 12 containers of hand sanitizer. ; License Type: Restaurant- On, “I couldn’t be prouder of our team for the uncertain right now how far this can go, but business park for $1.7M Ingleside Homes received 38 face shields, 50 day #15399 extraordinary quality and quantity of work Seaford does have potential for us, and its isolation gowns, 5,000 masks and 24 bottles that they have produced over the past year,” close location to Salisbury just makes sense,” of hand sanitizer. The Kingswood Community onial Oaks Hotel II, LLC DBA said Michael Reath, publisher of the Delaware said Kraus Development Property Manager Center received 3,000 large gloves and idence Inn Rehoboth Branch; Business Times. “Recognition from the DPA Christina Donahue. “We’re looking forward 1,000 disposable masks, while their partner 64 John J. Williams Highway; affirms the positive feedback we’ve heard to the future.” organization, the Teen Warehouse, received oth Beach 19971; License from readers and community members alike. Kraus Development was the winning bid out 1,000 disposable gloves and 50 packs of e: Hotel- On, Patio, Sunday We’re honored to be included in the 2021 of seven offers. Seaford is becoming a hot disinfecting wipes. 77 group of honorees.” market for medium to small companies, or Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware Co. received Owens won first place for a business story groups that specialize in managing property py Days with Taco Mix, 160 disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer, 150 for his July cover story “How the deal for for those companies. ; 2136 West Newport Pike, Delaware’s largest building got done,” which disposable masks and 1,000 gloves. ington 19804; Contact Phone explored the history behind the revitalization of Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination Wilmington Montessori received 450 reli Vasquez (302) 543-8847; disinfecting wipes, 900 masks and 300 bottles the General Motors Boxwood plant in Newport. program now fully open nse Type: Restaurant- On, Tabeling earned first place for a food story Venture Business Center has six buildings, each of hand sanitizer, while the Hilltop Lutheran day #15388 for her August cover story “Pandemic leaves with 5,000 square feet. Kraus Development plans to WILMINGTON – The Delaware Division of Neighborhood Center received 375 masks, 400 Delaware craft brewing industry with hazy maintain tenants and develop an undeveloped plot of Public Health (DPH) announced that medical gloves and 20 packs of disinfecting wipes. rtyard Management future,” which explored the lengths that the land on site. | PHOTO COURTESY OF SVN | MILLER providers and hospital systems may now Finally, Donate Delaware supplied the poration DBA Courtyard First State’s craft breweries had to go to in COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE. vaccinate all Delawareans 16 or older. Delaware Downs Syndrome Association mington/Newark/Christiana order to keep their doors open through the “This news means that any eligible of America with 15 packs of disinfecting onesta International Hotels pandemic. SEAFORD — Kraus Development of Baltimore Delawarean who wants a COVID-19 vaccine wipes, 300 disposable masks and 400 pairs poration Sonesta Select Owens earned first place for environmental has bought the Venture Business Center should be able to get one – whether it’s at of large gloves. rk; 48 Geoffrey Drive, Newark

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24 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com NEWS BRIEFS BUSINESS LEADS their doctor’s office, a local pharmacy, or a Liquor Licenses 19713; Contact Phone – (302) Ropewalk Fenwick, LLC DBA Big Benchmark Builders Inc. to Victor $2,000,000 community vaccination event,” said Gov. Jo 456-3800; License Type: Hotel-On, Eye Jacks to MFC Fenwick, LLC Luis Cepero; 127 Green Forest Carney in a statement. “We’re vaccinating Source: Delaware Ofﬁ ce of Alcoholic Sunday #14261 DBA Matt’s Fish Camp; 700 Coastal Drive, Rothwell Village, Middletown Pamela and Christopher Waltjen thousands of Delawareans each day. I’d Beverage Control Commissioner Highway, Fenwick Island 19944; 19709, $525,000 to Lindley and Laura McGrew; encourage all Delawareans to get the shot. Salinas Restaurant, LLC; 1847 Contacts — William McFaul, Marc 410 Pilottown Road, Lewes 19958, That’s how we’ll beat this virus.” NEW LICENSES ISSUED Pulaski Highway, Bear 1701; Contact McFaul, Christopher Reda; License Margaret Clayton to Jennifer and $1,975,000 – Josefina Menez (302) 261-6729; Type: Restaurant, Sunday, Patio Jason Krapf; 2 Brookridge Lane, Donate Delaware continues to supply Fenway Barr, LLC DBA The Pond License Type: Restaurant- On, #14476 Beech Hill, Newark 19711, $520,000 Charles and Elva Davidson to RRKS local organizations with PPE Bar & Grill; 19266 Coastal Highway, Sunday License #15401 Investments LLC; 26850 Lewes Rehoboth Beach19971; Contact PATEL CHANDRAKANT H. DBA SUSSEX CO. Georgetown Highway, Harbeson Donate Delaware supported several local Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Seadel Package Store to Cordoba – Peter Borsari (302) 227-2234; Philip and Leslie Rowe to Soo 19951, $1,700,000 organizations with donations of personal Inc.; 19550 Coastal Highway, Liquors, LLC; 113 High St., Seaford License Type: Restaurant- On, Kyung Lee and Michael Hempfling; protective equipment. Rehoboth Beach 19971; Contact 19973; Contact - Patel Chandrakant Sunday #15409 7 Cullen St., Rehoboth-by-the-Sea, Jim and Samantha Nguyen to Ryan Ursuline Academy received 60 packs of (302) 629-2387; License Type: Phone – Sandra Cochran, Richard Dewey Beach 19971, $2,905,000 Richholt and Hien Nguyen Thu Vu; disinfecting wipes and 25 bottles of hand Daphne, LLC DBA Sonora; 2-3 Wolfson, Paul Couvillion, Kara Package Store, Sunday #12649 21711 Paradise Road, Georgetown sanitizer, and St. Edmond’s Academy secur Chesmar Plaza, Newark 19713; Jacobs (302) 266-8993; License Caggiano Beach Associates LLC to 19947, $1,700,000 200 adult disposable masks, 50 N95 masks Contact - Melissa Ferraro & Michael Type: BEER/WINE- On, Sunday Real Estate Transactions Trahos Capital Investments LLC; and 12 containers of hand sanitizer. Ellis; License Type: Restaurant- On, #15405 71 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach Robert Pomeranz to Aaron and Ingleside Homes received 38 face shields Sunday #15399 Source: Local Recorders of Deeds 19971, $2,400,000 Melissa Sacks; 49 Delaware Ave., isolation gowns, 5,000 masks and 24 bottle NEW APPLICANT Rehoboth Beach Camp Meeting of hand sanitizer. The Kingswood Communi Colonial Oaks Hotel II, LLC DBA KENT CO. Samuel and Beverly Mendicino to Association, Rehoboth Beach 19971, Residence Inn Rehoboth Branch; Rosenfeld’s Bethany, LLC; 34444 Center received 3,000 large gloves and Gaurang and Ashwin Patel to Sean and Jennifer Casey; 30088 $1,625,000 18964 John J. Williams Highway; Coastal Highway, License Type: 1,000 disposable masks, while their partner Fasineh and Kadijatu Conteh; 217 Surfside Drive, Gull’s Nest, Bethany Rehoboth Beach 19971; License Restaurant-On, Sunday, Patio organization, the Teen Warehouse, received E. Pembrooke Drive, Wicksfield, Beach 19930, $2,400,000 Caggiano Beach Associates LLC to Type: Hotel- On, Patio, Sunday 1,000 disposable gloves and 50 packs of Bethany Bay Brewing, LLC; 38450 Smyrna 19977, $480,000 Trahos Capital Investments LLC; 8 #15377 Rafie and Diane Ansari to disinfecting wipes. Hickman Road, Ocean View 19970; N. First St., Rehoboth Beach 19971, Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware Co. recei Storkarron LLC; 902 S. Ocean Drive, Happy Days with Taco Mix, License Type: Microbrewer NEW CASTLE CO. $1,600,000 160 disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer, 1 Bethany Beach 19930, $2,120,000 LLC; 2136 West Newport Pike, Bestfield Properties LLC to West disposable masks and 1,000 gloves. Joseph and Betty Croft to Jerome Wilmington 19804; Contact Phone RARE Hospitality International, Main 3, LLC; 18, 20 and 22 W. Main Tisha Buchanan to Ann Marie Wilmington Montessori received 450 and Alison Kraisinger; 6 Connor – Areli Vasquez (302) 543-8847; Inc. DBA Longhorn Steakhouse; St., Middletown 19709, $900,000 and Brian Pryor; 107 Kent Place, disinfecting wipes, 900 masks and 300 bot Lane, Bethany Beach 19930, License Type: Restaurant- On, 4157 Concord Pike, Wilmington Bethany Beach 19930, $2,100,000 of hand sanitizer, while the Hilltop Lutheran Sunday #15388 19803; License Type: Restaurant-on, William and Megan Weimen to $1,500,000 Neighborhood Center received 375 masks Sunday Stephanie Fiori; 219 Wickerberry LDF Inc. to ECMM at Delaware LLC; Halpern Property Investments LLC gloves and 20 packs of disinfecting wipes. Courtyard Management Drive, ParkSide, Middletown 19709; 660 Pilottown Road, Lewes 19958, Finally, Donate Delaware supplied the Corporation DBA Courtyard Croix’s Tavern, LLC; Lot 1A Peanut $550,000 $2,075,000 to Lawrence Regan and Katherine Delaware Downs Syndrome Association Wilmington/Newark/Christiana Tingle Road, Frankford 19945; Kazlo; 33517 Tiderunner Ave., of America with 15 packs of disinfecting to Sonesta International Hotels License Type: Taproom Carole Peipher to William Wheeler; Frank and Susan Proden to Edward Sanctuary of the Peninsula on the wipes, 300 disposable masks and 400 pairs Corporation Sonesta Select 30 Lynthwaite Farm Lane, The and Susan Girard; 500 N. Ocean Indian River Bay, Millsboro 19966, of large gloves. Newark; 48 Geoffrey Drive, Newark TRANSFER REQUEST Village of Rocky Run, $540,000 Drive, Bethany Beach 19930, $1,495,000

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DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 25 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE CALENDAR SPONSORED BY Delaware’s trusted partners for Insurance, wise noted, webinar access details e e-mailed Risk Management and Employee Benefits istrants. Dates and times subject to change. Safegardgroup.com Pointing You in the Right Direction RIL 23 | 9 - 10 AM

People on the Move is a rundown of recent M. Davis & Sons has ilblazers and Changemakers hirings, promotions, appointments and other promoted Christina binar Series: Fighting for notable movements by professionals in the state. MacMillan to vice alth Equity president of strategic If you’re interested in submitting an entry, please Trailblazers & Changemakers development. In 2016, contact [email protected]. ries will focus on ‘Fighting for Health she took on the role of ’ This webinar will feature speakers Dr. business development Kathleen Furey e, a family medicine physician and manager, and has since McDonough has been ctor of the Harrington Value Institute spearheaded business development, sales, re-elected chair of Potter artnership Fund at ChristianaCare, and marketing initiatives. Her new role will Anderson & Corroon . Velma Scantlebury, professor of surgery make her the first female non-family member LLP. The firm also xas Christian University and Medical School, of the M. Davis Executive Committee. announced the partners rsity of North Texas Health Science Center who will serve on the ). For more information, visit udel.edu. Jennifer Green has Executive Committee joined the Bank of with McDonough through the end of 2023. Delmarva as assistant The first woman to be elected chair in Potter RIL 26 | 5 - 6:30 PM vice president of portfolio Anderson’s 196-year history as well as the management. Green will h Annual Dinner with the New first woman to lead a major Delaware law be working from the bank’s tle County Chamber of Commerce firm, McDonough has chaired the firm since loan production office in 2018. Her practice focuses on litigation in the w Castle County Chamber of Rehoboth Beach. Green federal and state courts in Delaware, with an rce for their 99th Annual Dinner to hear comes to the company with nearly 15 years emphasis on labor and employment, trade ss leaders on how our local industry experience, including nine years of , recover and rebuild. Hear secret and commercial litigation. She has been commercial underwriting. recognized by Chambers USA as a leading r Levenson, chairman, president, nnifer Cohan, CEO of Delaware practitioner in labor and employment Frederick “Fritz” Jones law each year since 2003. rship Delaware; and Logan Herring, CEO of has been appointed nter, REACH Riverside executive director of Dave Anderson has been appointed as The Warehouse. Two awards will also be Catholic Charities Inc. of d that evening; the Lifetime Achievement the new executive vice president and chief the Diocese of Wilmington. financial officer of Corteva. Anderson has d to Bob Byrd and the Jones has been a leader rvice Award will be given to Dave focused on establishing finance functions in Catholic Charities for ri. For more information, visit ncccc.com. that enable ongoing investment in growth 43 years, most recently initiatives, and has spent more than a decade as director of program operations. During his as chief financial officer of Honeywell, through tenure, Jones has reorganized the behavioral RIL 26 - 30 2014. Since then, he has held the chief health program resulting in increased financial officer role at other market-leading productivity, integration of the residential rld Trade Center Association Featured Black Chambers Members... companies, with a focus on establishing maternity home into a Catholic Charities neral Assembly Week strong finance functions, cost structures, program adding services to new mothers, TCA General Assembly for the capital allocation programs, and solid and reinstatement of the substance abuse 's premier annual event, gathering Advance Family Care foundations for growth. counseling licensure program. s from member World Trade When Family Nurse Practitioners, Dr. Flaveé Banfield and rs (WTCs) and their business networks. In Keyma Hansby opened Advanced Family Care in Middletown, Peter Rysavy has Mark Benzin has joined WTCA welcomes a larger GA audience Delaware they did it to help restore confidence in a failing been promoted to chief Solutions IPEM as a survey tual, week-long event, featuring healthcare system. Advanced Family Care offers transparent information officer project manager. Benzin days of main-stage programming and a has over 35 years of pricing that allows patients to have direct access to their of Goldey-Beacom k of B2B networking opportunities across College. Rysavy will experience as a surveyor providers through phone and text. Discounted labs and zones. With the theme of "The Power provide leadership and and project manager on " the 2021 GA promises to wholesale medications are also available on-site, allowing management to the Office the Delmarva. Benzin and engaging event, demonstrating patients affordable options based on their financial situations. of Information Technology, has worked on major ngth of the WTCA network and offering residential projects, mixed use projects, large 212 Carter Dr., Middletown including the planning, administration, tunities for businesses to learn from security, and coordination of the college's commercial projects as well as major and xperts and connect with the entire Advfamilycare.com technology resources. Prior to his current minor roadways. twork. For more information, position, Rysavy held various roles at the college, including webmaster, IT administrator Matt Patton has been Edwards Wellness & Skin Care promoted to vice prescient and director of information technology. He Owner: Thelma Carole. “Member of the Month” in March! of construction for SoDel RIL 28 | 8:30 - 9:30 AM also played a key role in the rapid response Thelma has been a licensed aesthetician since 1986! Concepts, while continuing to the new remote work and remote learning aware State Chamber Leadership to oversee the group's Edwards Wellness & Skin Care is a place where you can challenges brought on by the COVID-19 beer program. Patton will h Dr. Tony Allen relax and renew your body and mind. Edwards’ Wellness pandemic. focuses on the whole person. oversee the renovation laware State Chamber of Commerce of the former Ropewalk laware State University President Tony Beebe Healthcare has Marsh Rd. near Veale, Wilmington 19803 building on Coastal Highway in Fenwick, o hear about Allen’s leadership journey announced the promotion which will become Matt's Fish Camp Fenwick, ssons he has gathered along the Edwardswellness.skincaretherapy.net of Maurice Winkfield and will also supervise the construction of ting his career as a speechwriter to as executive director Ocean View Brewing Company in Ocean View. n. Joe Biden, Allen most recently of oncology services. The company will also hire a vice president d by President Biden to lead the Winkfield joined Beebe of operations, two additional directors of sidential Inaugural Committee and to serve on Healthcare in 2014 as operations, a corporate chef and three general President’s Transition the director of patient managers and executive chefs. or more information, visit dscc.com. access, and later transitioned to the director of operational improvement. He has been Amanda Kelly Thompson has been named 302.709.1708 | [email protected] | debcc.org serving as the interim executive director for director of political and legislative affairs at Y 7 | 9 - 10 AM oncology services since last year, overseeing the Delaware Association of Realtors (DAR). ilblazers and Changemakers Webinar 108 Patriot Drive, Suite A, Middletown DE 19709 the Tunnell Cancer Center in Rehoboth Beach Thompson formerly worked for the National and new South Coastal Cancer Center near Alliance on Mental Illness, where she served ies: Women Winning in Athletics Millville. as director of advancement. omen's Leadership Initiative for these

26 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com PEOPLE ON THE MOVE BUSINESS CALENDAR SPONSORED BY Delaware’s trusted partners for Insurance, Unless otherwise noted, webinar access details powerful conversations, which the university Stay active wherever you are. (including dial-in information) will be e-mailed hopes will inspire the community to make Risk Management and Employee Benefits to registrants. Dates and times subject to change. an impact on the critical issues facing us at Livestream group ﬁtness classes Safegardgroup.com home, at work and in our communities. At this Pointing You in the Right Direction or meet with a personal trainer online event Kristie Pappal, vice president of human on your schedule. APRIL 23 | 9 - 10 AM resources for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Chrissi Rawak, athletic director at the University of M. Davis & Sons has Trailblazers and Changemakers Webinar Series: Fighting for Delaware, and Erin Kane, founder of the Clarion visit promoted Christina Agency, will share their experience leading hac.ﬁt/virtual MacMillan to vice Health Equity students, athletes, coaches, employees and president of strategic This webinar in the Trailblazers & Changemakers clients in the sports and entertainment world. development. In 2016, Webinar Series will focus on ‘Fighting for Health For more information, visit udel.edu. she took on the role of Equity.’ This webinar will feature speakers Dr. business development Mashala Lee, a family medicine physician and manager, and has since the director of the Harrington Value Institute MAY 11 | 10 - 11:30 AM spearheaded business development, sales, Community Partnership Fund at ChristianaCare, Cutting Edge Series: Manufacturing and marketing initiatives. Her new role will and Dr. Velma Scantlebury, professor of surgery HOCKESSIN ATHLETIC CLUB | 302) 239-6688 | hachealthclub.com make her the first female non-family memb at Texas Christian University and Medical School, Join the New Castle County Chamber and local of the M. Davis Executive Committee. University of North Texas Health Science Center manufacturing professionals to learn more about (UNTHSC). For more information, visit udel.edu. the local manufacturing talent pool, and how to Jennifer Green has grow and attract additional professionals. Panel joined the Bank of participants include Hasan Joarder, of BASF; Delmarva as assistant APRIL 26 | 5 - 6:30 PM Santiago Rojas, of Carbonell and Versogen; Paul vice president of portfol 99th Annual Dinner with the New T. Morris, of Delaware Technical Community management. Green wil College; and Charles A. Madden, of the Delaware be working from the ba Castle County Chamber of Commerce Prosperity Partnership. For more information, FULL SERVICE loan production office i Join the New Castle County Chamber of visit ncccc.com. Rehoboth Beach. Green Commerce for their 99th Annual Dinner to hear comes to the company with nearly 15 years from local business leaders on how our local PROPERTY industry experience, including nine years of economy can unite, recover and rebuild. Hear MAY 12 & 13 commercial underwriting. from Rodger Levenson, chairman, president, 6th Annual Small Business Day and CEO of WSFS Bank; Jennifer Cohan, CEO of MANAGEMENT Frederick “Fritz” Jone Leadership Delaware; and Logan Herring, CEO of There is no better time than now for Delaware's has been appointed Kingswood Community Center, REACH Riverside small business community to come together executive director of and The Warehouse. Two awards will also be before the General Assembly comes to a close Catholic Charities Inc. o issued that evening; the Lifetime Achievement for this year. Join all 14 chambers of commerce the Diocese of Wilmingt Award will be awarded to Bob Byrd and the in Delaware to band together and help shape Jones has been a leader Community Service Award will be given to Dave policy in Delaware. The first day will educate 302-762-1992 in Catholic Charities for Tiberi. For more information, visit ncccc.com. participants on important bills the General 43 years, most recently Assembly will be voting on and prepare you to as director of program operations. During hi have educated conversations with Delaware's tenure, Jones has reorganized the behavior APRIL 26 - 30 decision-makers. The second day will allow you health program resulting in increased World Trade Center Association to put your advocacy skills to work and meet productivity, integration of the residential state senators and representatives. The State maternity home into a Catholic Charities General Assembly Week Chamber will schedule the meeting for you and program adding services to new mothers, Join the WTCA General Assembly for the provide talking points to guide you through the Subscribe Today! and reinstatement of the substance abuse association's premier annual event, gathering discussion. For more information, visit dscc.com. counseling licensure program. representatives from member World Trade Centers (WTCs) and their business networks. In MAY 18 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM Subscribe to Delaware Business Times in Print & Digital Mark Benzin has joine 2021, the WTCA welcomes a larger GA audience for business news, data and upcoming events. Solutions IPEM as a sur with a 100% virtual, week-long event, featuring Committee of 100 Virtual Meeting project manager. Benzin three days of main-stage programming and a and Scholarship Presentation has over 35 years of week of B2B networking opportunities across Subscription includes: experience as a surveyo all time zones. With the theme of "The Power Join the Committee of 100 during their May • 24 Bi-weekly Issues • Digital Editions and project manager on of Our Community," the 2021 GA promises to meeting to virtually network with Delaware's the Delmarva. Benzin be a unique and engaging event, demonstrating business leaders and work to promote • Innovation Magazine ($9 value) has worked on major responsible economic development in the the strength of the WTCA network and offering • Annual Book of Lists ($50 value) residential projects, mixed use projects, lar opportunities for businesses to learn from state. During the May meeting the Committee commercial projects as well as major and leading experts and connect with the entire will also be announcing the recipients of the • Regular E-newsletters minor roadways. WTCA network. For more information, 2021 Committee of 100 Scholarships. These visit wtca.org. scholarships are awarded to local students • Premium Content on DelawareBusinessTimes.com Matt Patton has been who will be studying business, economics, promoted to vice presci science, technology, engineering, math or of construction for SoD APRIL 28 | 8:30 - 9:30 AM related fields. Additionally, the guest speaker The publication is now a “must read” Concepts, while continu Delaware State Chamber Leadership for the evening will be Logan Herring, CEO of to oversee the group's when in the past it was an “I’ll get to it.” with Dr. Tony Allen the Kingswood Community Center, REACH beer program. Patton wi Riverside and The Warehouse. For more Jim Donahue oversee the renovation Join the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce SMART TRACK: information visit, committeeof100.com. App helps Delaware contain spread of Managing Partner, NuPOINT Marketing COVID-19 December 22, 2020 | Vol. 7 of the former Ropewalk and Delaware State University President Tony • No. 26 | $2.00 | DelawareBusinessTimes.comDelawareBusinessTimes.com 18 building on Coastal Highway in Fenwick, Allen to hear about Allen’s leadership journey Wilmington which will become Matt's Fish Camp Fenwi and the lessons he has gathered along the JUNE 8 | 8:30 - 11:30 AM July 2019 RECORD GIFTS: DSU, YMCA receive and will also supervise the construction of way. Starting his career as a speechwriter to historic donations End-of-Session Policy Conference 3 Ocean View Brewing Company in Ocean Vie then-U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, Allen most recently The company will also hire a vice president was tapped by President Biden to lead the Join the Delaware State Chamber for a RING THE BELL: Prelude Therapeutics preps IPO worth up to $100M conversation focused on ideas and strategies 5 of operations, two additional directors of ROUND 2: Presidential Inaugural Committee and to serve on • No. 19 | $2.00 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com September 15, 2020 | Vol. 7 SCOTUS tosses judge case, but it’s back operations, a corporate chef and three gen the advisory board of the President’s Transition that will allow Delaware to attract and grow 5

DEJA VU: New proposal aims for businesses within our borders and to prepare a Rehoboth hotel revival managers and executive chefs. Team. For more information, visit dscc.com. 3 CAN DELAWARE SUSTAIN A DELAWARE’S workforce capable of meeting today’s demands. RENEWABLE FUTURE?

LAST CALL: ‘UNICORN’ Rookery to close CRYPTO KIOSK: Milford course in 2021 6 Cash-to-Bitcoin Prelude Therapeutics CEO Kris Vaddi and Delaware Senate President Pro TemporeDavid investment comes to Del. Amanda Kelly Thompson has been name more People to Watch in 2021 | 6-13 MAY 7 | 9 - 10 AM 15 14 director of political and legislative affairs at Sokola and Speaker of the House Peter NEW VOICE: Delaware Black Chamber set to launch As states commit to wind power, Delaware could benefit from investment | TRAVEL BALL: 4 Delaware’s renewable portfolio is growing – Blue Rocks survive minor mainly out of state league purge, land in the Delaware Association of Realtors (DAR) Schwartzkopf will discuss the current state 13 Nationals system Trailblazers and Changemakers Webinar 4 Thompson formerly worked for the National of affairs in the 151st General Assembly as Alliance on Mental Illness, where she served Series: Women Winning in Athletics the end of the legislative session nears. DelawareBusinessTimes.com/Subscribe as director of advancement. Join UD Women's Leadership Initiative for these For more information, visit dscc.com.

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 27 S YOUR VIEW creational marijuana risks warrant greater caution Delaware Business Times I have never reader commentary policies bought into the argument that something is Op Ed Columns OK just because We also welcome guest columns on topics of interest to everyone else is our readers. Columns should be no longer than 500 and 650 doing it. words, and concern topics of interest to our readers. Thirty-five MARTINELLI states including How to Reach Us Delaware have now approved [email protected] al-marijuana use, but less than Delaware Business Times luding Washington, D.C.) have 3301 Lancaster Pike, Suite 5C oved recreational use. I believe Wilmington, Delaware 19805 e legislature is not looking y enough at the harmful side effects Corrections Policy e House Bill 150 (HB150) ould legalize marijuana for If you believe that we have made an error in a story we publish, eational use. please email us at [email protected] tate Auditor Kathy McGuiness eport in January that said e could realize more than $43 lion in annual tax revenue from egulation and taxation of legal EDITOR'S VIEW ijuana, assuming a 20% tax on lion in estimated retail sales. e bill would only impose Retraining will become one of our biggest challenges eport also argued that the black ket would be suppressed. But there eal evidence that legalization These days deepened due to the COVID-19 economic headwinds better than blue- vel reduces the illicit/ it seems we’re pandemic. collar workers, as new technical skills are ck markets, particularly in states that talking about the In 2020, leading global consulting firm often offered through employer training Nearly nine in 10 me sort of tax. For example, future a lot – a McKinsey & Co. estimated that 7.9% of as companies seek to prevent workforce executives and managers ornia’s legal market generates about carbon-neutral, the American workforce was at threat of turnover. Blue-collar changes tend to be lion in annual sales while its illegal equitable- losing their job in the changing economy more-often paired with the impacts of say their organizations ket (which includes nationwide opportunity, by 2030. In 2021, that percentage rose to globalization, where skills combined with ibution) does about an estimated worker- 10.1% or about 17 million workers. workforce costs and automation often either face skill gaps lion, according to a recent story in JACOB OWENS empowered 21st Nearly nine in 10 executives and lead to job losses. already or expect gaps bes magazine. With the possibility of century economy managers say their organizations either The good news is that there are things where the world, its people, and the face skill gaps already or expect gaps employers and the government can do to develop within the companies they work for are happy. to develop within the next five years, to prepare for this predicted tide. Considering the enormous economic, according to McKinsey’s survey of 1,216 Government-funded job retraining next five years. nalytics complement passion for venture capitalists technological, political, and social employers last year. A fifth of those programs, especially for those in affected challenges needed to overcome to realize respondents said that up to half of their blue-collar industries, can be lifesavers. 2020 McKinsey & Co. survey such a vision, it’s easy to see why many workforces could be impacted. Forward Delaware, set up by the Carney of 1,216 employers As important see it as little more than a pie-in-the-sky In Europe and the United States, administration and the Delaware as timing and dream for the idealistic. workers with less than a college degree, Workforce Development Board in the luck are for I share those hopes and dreams of members of ethnic minority groups, midst of the pandemic, was effective in assist the 56% of Delawareans aged 25 entrepreneurs a cleaner, safer and more socially just and women are more likely to need to moving unemployed workers quickly to 64 who lack a post-secondary degree hoping to grow future, although with a greater skepticism change occupations after COVID-19 into growth industries. and are considering a career change. their small that we’ll reach the mountaintop by a than before, the McKinsey researchers However, future participants of such Employers can also help in enterprise deadline like 2030 or 2050. found. In the U.S., people without a programs likely won’t be able to draw the transition by focusing more into a Wall That cynicism comes after years college degree are 1.3 times more likely upon increased federal support from on required skills and tasks to be VID LAROCHE Street darling, of seeing self-interest scuttle the best to need to make transitions compared to unemployment programs while receiving completed rather than job titles or entrepreneurs with intentions in a democratic system. Even those with a college degree, and Black training like they did amid the pandemic. academic degrees. Remote work could good ideas often if we can get Washington or Wall Street and Hispanic workers are 1.1 times Economic support for those needing also be an opportunity to support aise money from venture capitalists to all move in the same direction, there more likely to have to transition between to support families while transitioning minority communities that may be ause they don’t sufficiently integrate lies a far greater challenge ahead: how to occupations than white workers. careers will likely become a greater piece disproportionately impacted by the ytics into their plans. deal with the massive changes coming Even assuming that Delaware sees a of America’s social welfare net. changing economy but unable to move n our experience, most venture for our workforce. smaller percentage of that need, say 8% The recently announced bipartisan to a company’s office location. VCs) expect to see the Even aside from wholesale changes like of employment change, we would be expansion of the state’s SEED The importance of preparing for this wing in any funding request: a carbon-neutral economy, which would looking at more than 35,000 workers scholarship program is also a good challenge cannot be overstated, because Detail the Data. Identify the bring huge workforce impacts, the United in the First State needing to learn new support that will last long after the the ability to address it doesn’t happen format, and storage States is looking at dramatic challenges skills or find new employment. Amid pandemic subsides. Since 2005, the overnight. Programs to train workers with onment you will have. A few in its workforce purely due to rapidly the pandemic, stimulus funds have SEED program has covered tuition for skills for a new career path can take many erPoint slides should show key data advancing automation, machine learning funded the retraining of more than 1,200 nearly 13,000 local high school graduates months and workers need to know where environmental controls, data and more that will cut down on the residents over the past year, showing the who attend Delaware Technical they can go to obtain necessary resources. and the flow of the data and start number of human beings needed to operate immensity of the task before us. Community College. The proposed As we work to close out this current l rolling for your business that our plants and complete our daily tasks. Studies have shown us that white- expansion, called SEED+, is designed to crisis, we should begin to focus on the ncept seriously. It also That challenge has likely only collar employees tend to weather such attract larger employers to the state and next. nstrates that you speak the VC’s

28 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com VIEWPOINTS YOUR VIEW Recreational marijuana risks warrant greater caution Delaware Business Times I have never the black market growing and the lower that people will go out of state to buy reader commentary policies bought into the tax than was used in the McGuiness pot or because a majority of Delawareans argument that report, it’s likely the revenue from legal say they support legalization when the something is marijuana will be much lower than federal government continues to classify This seems to be a time Op Ed Columns OK just because expected. marijuana as a Schedule I drug. We also welcome guest columns on topics of interest to everyone else is There is a difference between In total, 19 states and the District when Delaware’s well- our readers. Columns should be no longer than 500 and 650 doing it. marijuana decriminalization and efforts of Columbia now have laws restricting words, and concern topics of interest to our readers. Thirty-five to legalize cannabis consumption. There employers’ ability to take marijuana usage deserved reputation for ROB MARTINELLI states including are social-justice reasons in favor of the into account when making employment watching what other How to Reach Us Guest Columnist Delaware have first, but I agree with employers who decisions. State laws vary widely both now approved are concerned about the second here in how extensively they limit employers’ states do before acting [email protected] medical-marijuana use, but less than in Delaware. actions, as well as in the number and Delaware Business Times half (including Washington, D.C.) have Gov. John Carney is on record types of exceptions they allow. is the correct strategy. 3301 Lancaster Pike, Suite 5C approved recreational use. I believe supporting decriminalization and The Delaware State Chamber of Wilmington, Delaware 19805 the Delaware legislature is not looking expanding Delaware’s medical marijuana Commerce has asked lawmakers to closely enough at the harmful side effects program, but he remains concerned about ensure that employers can regulate Corrections Policy of Delaware House Bill 150 (HB150) legalizing recreational use. marijuana use in the same way that that would legalize marijuana for As currently written, HB150 does some Delaware companies can prohibit within a year of first trying marijuana, If you believe that we have made an error in a story we recreational use. allow employers to restrict the use of tobacco use for safety reasons, regardless please email us at [email protected] 11% of adolescents had become addicted State Auditor Kathy McGuiness cannabis while at work, but it doesn’t of whether the employee is at work or to it, compared to 6.4% of young adults. released a report in January that said include language on prohibiting its at home. The state chamber also wants Even more striking was that within Delaware could realize more than $43 use after work hours. Business leaders liability protection for employers as three years of first trying the drug, million in annual tax revenue from understandably want to ensure they well as a spot test that can measure 20% of adolescents became dependent the regulation and taxation of legal can enforce their current zero-tolerance impairment before lawmakers consider on it, almost double the number of EDITOR'S VIEW marijuana, assuming a 20% tax on policies on impairment, particularly passing HB150. I believe all those are young adults. $215 million in estimated retail sales. if remote working remains in place. good ideas so long as we consider the In the state of Washington which The Delaware bill would only impose This seems to be a time when challenges of testing in a remote world. was one of the first states to legalize a 15% sales tax. Delaware’s well-deserved reputation for Business owners’ liability concerns recreational use, perceived harm from Retraining will beco The report also argued that the black watching what other states do before should be taken into greater account than cannabis fell and usage increased market would be suppressed. But there acting is the correct strategy. the percentage of people who support significantly for both eighth and 10th is no real evidence that legalization In Maryland, for example, lawmakers legalization, and there are other open graders compared to non-legalized states. at the state level reduces the illicit/ recently gave up on the effort to legalize questions that need to be addressed. Do we really want this for our kids? black markets, particularly in states that recreational marijuana until 2022 In addition to the growth of the HB150 should not be passed just to Nearly nine in 10 implement some sort of tax. For example, because, as the sponsor put it, they “didn’t black market after legalization in some keep pace with neighboring states or executives and California’s legal market generates about want to jam out a bill that would have states, we need to be concerned about because a majority of our residents $4 billion in annual sales while its illegal problems immediately. We really wanted possible increased access to marijuana think it should be. say their organizations market (which includes nationwide to get it right using best practices from by adolescents if people 21 or older can distribution) does about an estimated other states.” buy it. According to a new analysis of Rob Martinelli is the president and either face skill gaps $10 billion, according to a recent story in Delaware shouldn’t rush to pass federal data from the National Institute CEO of Today Media, the parent already or expect gaps Forbes magazine. With the possibility of recreational marijuana laws out of fear on Drug Abuse, researchers found that company of Delaware Business Times. to develop within the next five years. Analytics complement passion for venture capitalists

2020 McKinsey & Co. survey of 1,216 employers As important language and understand their priorities. include KPIs, key reports and dashboards Avoid lots of words. Create clear graphs as timing and 2. Build the Marketing Plan. Using you will have ready to go from day 1. that tell a story that you can read on a luck are for the data elements you just identified in Samples of these reports, even if they laptop screen. Script in a way where the assist the 56% of Delawareans aged 25 entrepreneurs Step 1, demonstrate to the VC how your are borrowed from other businesses and PowerPoint hits the highlights; your to 64 who lack a post-secondary degr hoping to grow product or service will enter and hit the redacted are good to visualize the right Speaker Notes bring more detail but and are considering a career change. their small market. Using data, show your growth detail to the VC. Show via description can be understood by someone who Employers can also help in enterprise potential for the first six months, 12 and/or graphic examples the reports you isn’t present for the pitch; avoid clip the transition by focusing more into a Wall months and long-term all the way out to plan to build. Most VCs won’t expect art; and show diversity if you can. on required skills and tasks to be DAVID LAROCHE Street darling, five years as possible. The VC wants to you to have a 50-report inventory ready Few people predicted the pandemic completed rather than job titles or entrepreneurs with see what type of return it will get on to go for Day 1. After all, that’s why Guest Columnist but companies that could show with academic degrees. Remote work could good ideas often their investment and when that return you are pitching to them in the first data their adjustments to their growth also be an opportunity to support fail to raise money from venture capitalists can be expected to materialize. place: to get the money to invest in this minority communities that may be because they don’t sufficiently integrate 3. Build the Risk Plan. Make sure effort. Showing the VC what you plan and risk plans (e.g., how productive their disproportionately impacted by the data and analytics into their plans. you have a detailed Risk Plan or Loss to do with the money from a reporting employees are in a virtual environment) changing economy but unable to mov Based on our experience, most venture Forecast attached to the Marketing perspective gives them a degree of were more likely to keep their investors to a company’s office location. capitalists (VCs) expect to see the Plan. Have a qualified risk professional confidence that your business will be calm and reduce distractions from the The importance of preparing for this following in any funding request: produce the Risk Plan and include that well-informed by data and you won’t myriad of ad-hoc data requests. challenge cannot be overstated, because 1. Detail the Data. Identify the person in your leadership-team summary miss simple trends that doom many the ability to address it doesn’t happen data elements, format, and storage (or identify them as a contractor). VCs uninformed businesses. David LaRoche is managing partner of U.S. overnight. Programs to train wor environment you will have. A few are very wary of optimistic risk plans Don’t be so excited about your operations for Newark-based Predictive skills for a new career path c PowerPoint slides should show key data done by CEOs or CFOs who are heavily business and the opportunity that you Analytics Group, which specializes in months and workers need to kno elements, environmental controls, data invested in the business already. fail to prepare the right pitch deck that management consulting, operational they can go to obtain necessary resour access, and the flow of the data and start 4. Detail the Reporting Package. It is incorporates the data and analytics into e ciencies, data management, business As we work to close out this current the ball rolling for your business that a critical final piece to the pitch deck to the success story that will define your analytics, nancial planning & analysis, crisis, we should begin to focus on the you take this concept seriously. It also show how you plan to report results to company. Take the time to optimize marketing, and model development next. demonstrates that you speak the VC’s the VC. Your reporting package should the appearance of your pitch deck. (including machine learning).

DelawareBusinessTimes.com | April 20, 2021 29 In the C-Suite: Nicole Majeski Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary

BY KATIE TABELING Now as DelDOT secretary, Majeski is in charge the $200 million Interstate 95 reconstruction project of one of the largest state departments, with 2,500 through Wilmington known as Restore the Corridor. DOVER – Like many Delawarean leaders, Nicole employees and 90% of the state’s transportation While she concedes that it may be the largest capital Majeski has spent a year in various public service roles, network. She also oversees a six-year, $4 billion capital project she will oversee in her tenure, it won’t necessarily but her journey to the Department of Transportation improvement program, and one of her top goals is to be the most important one. Secretary started with one singular goal in mind. get projects out the door in creative ways, while also “There’s so much work that’s happening, including the “I was going to be a lawyer and law school was the designing them in a way to maximize commuter safety. plan,” Majeski said. “But by the time I reached the end Route 24 corridor, and we have plans for the Route 113 “Safety is always going to be our No. 1 priority, corridor,” she said. of my junior year, I was a little burned out. I started to whether it's our employees or the traveling public,” she Reflecting on her journey, Majeski said was never one think maybe it wasn’t for me.” said. “There’s an education and enforcement piece, but to have a set plan. But perhaps keeping herself open to From there, the University of Delaware student from there’s also the design piece. We’re going to be looking whatever opportunities that came her way led her to southeastern Pennsylvania switched courses to a political for innovative ways to design roads to keep people safer.” science major to have “more diverse options” for the People may be surprised by the sheer amount of where she stands today. future. But looking back, that future may have been set “If someone at UD had told me I was going to be the Diversity at work benefits everyone technology DelDOT now has at its disposal, from the by the next early career move she made: interning for smartphone app with a trove of data available to the next DelDOT Secretary I would have been like, ‘That’s then-Gov. Tom Carper’s U.S. Senate race. public, electronic tolling at U.S. Route 301, online DMV a thing?” she said with a laugh. “I was never one to set a “He’s one of the greatest public servants that the services to even testing self-driving DART shuttles. five-year plan, but it’s always been my philosophy to take state has in my opinion,” she said. “As a UD student, so how do we get there? Majeski is also inheriting what her predecessor, risks and not be so set in a plan. If you’re so focused on a I fell in love with Delaware because it was hours from Jennifer Cohan, called “the mother of all projects”: plan, you can miss what chances there are for you.” the beach and it was centrally located. But I got to see the connection [Carper] was making with the people, hearing the issues and watching him push to make a change, that was when I fell in love with public service.” When Carper was elected to the Senate, Majeski’s budding career in Delaware politics and public th service was launched. She began working in Carper’s FREE virtual event | Wednesday, may 19 | 11:30 am constituent services offices, fielding calls from voters and trying to help solve them the best she could. After that, Please join the SBDC Delaware & Delaware Business Times for an up close she interned with the Delaware Democratic Party and eventually worked her way up the ladder to become its look at Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace with Dr. Jennifer R. Joe. executive director. While Majeski could have remained one of the top party leaders, her path once again changed when she met Chris Coons while he was running for New Jennifer R. Joe, Ph.D., CPA, is Castle County executive. They quickly hit it off. When Coons won in 2004, she joined his administration as the Whitney Family Endowed his eventual chief of staff, overseeing his strong land use agenda. Professor of Accounting and Cohen “It’s funny, back then we started looking at southern New Castle County and thought ‘Where do we want Family Director of Diversity in the development to occur and where do we want to preserve Lerner College of Business at the farmland?’ You want to have that economic development, good schools but also to balance that rural area,” she University of Delaware. said. “We really wanted to transform how we thought about development.” Fast forward to today, what became the Southern New Castle County Master Plan essentially serves as the framework for DelDOT’s Transportation Improvement District (TID). It allows for greater coordination Sign up at delawarebusinesstimes.com/sbdc between land planners and transportation to ensure the transportation system can support the proposed For sponsorship opportunities, contact Delaware Business Times at development. “It’s kind of funny to see this as a recurring theme in [email protected] or 302.656.1837 my career starting in 2005 to today,” Majeski said. She found herself working closely with DelDOT while working on Coons’ initiatives, and eventually that work led to another opportunity to join the department. Throughout it all, she can’t exactly pinpoint a moment SPONSORED BY: or project that really solidified her path. But it’s the knowledge that each ordinance passed or each policy decision has an impact on the lives of thousands of Delawareans. “Honestly, the best part is making a difference. When I worked for the New Castle County government, you could really see the direct impact your work had on improving the quality of life, whether it’s through the library system or creating communities through land PRESENTED BY: use decisions,” Majeski said. “That’s really my driving force. From a transportation standpoint, it really has an impact because everyone is our customer.”

30 April 20, 2021 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com In the C-Suite: Nicole Majeski Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary

the $200 million Interstate 95 reconstruction project through Wilmington known as Restore the Corridor. While she concedes that it may be the largest capital project she will oversee in her tenure, it won’t necessar be the most important one. “There’s so much work that’s happening, inc Route 24 corridor, and we have plans f corridor,” she said. Reflecting on her journey, Majeski said was never o to have a set plan. But per whatever opportunities that came her way led her to where she stands today. “If someone at UD had told me I was g Diversity at work benefits everyone next DelDOT Secretary I would have been like, ‘ a thing?” she said with a laugh.“I was never o five-year plan, but it’s always been my philosoph so how do we get there? risks and not be so set in a plan. If you’re so focused o plan, you can miss what chances there are for you.”

FREE virtual event | Wednesday, may 19th | 11:30 am Please join the SBDC Delaware & Delaware Business Times for an up close look at Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace with Dr. Jennifer R. Joe.

Jennifer R. Joe, Ph.D., CPA, is the Whitney Family Endowed Professor of Accounting and Cohen Family Director of Diversity in the Lerner College of Business at the University of Delaware.

Sign up at delawarebusinesstimes.com/sbdc For sponsorship opportunities, contact Delaware Business Times at [email protected] or 302.656.1837