Gov. Markell’s weekly message focuses on the state’s ongoing efforts to promote job growth and support business development.
Bernice Whaley, director of the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), delivered the message on behalf of the governor, who was on a trade trip to Germany last week. She noted that since the recession, many industries lost their ability to support the middle class. Jobs have changed, requiring more advanced skillsets.
In recent years, Whaley says the First State has taken new approaches to stimulating job growth.
"Recent developments show our state making further progress. Innovative companies are creating new industries to meet demands of the technology revolution. Their recent success and plans for continued research and growth means we will see further investment in our workforce," said Whaley.
She used burgeoning tech companies SevOne in Newark and Incyte in Wilmington as examples of how the state is adapting to the needs of the technology revolution.
Full text of Gov. Markell's weekly message (delivered by DEDO Director Bernice Whaley):
Since the financial collapse seven years ago, middle class jobs have changed drastically. Industries that fueled middle class jobs, no longer had the ability to support our middle class in a sustainable way.
We have fought back from these losses by recognizing that in our transformed economy, good jobs look different and require a higher level of skills than they did in the past. With the right approach to encourage job growth in key industries, we are giving Delawareans a better chance than ever before to make the most of their abilities. It’s why we continue to outpace the region in job creation while seeing total personal income increase by more than 6%.
And recent developments show our state making further progress. Innovative companies are creating new industries to meet demands of the technology revolution. SevOne, a network performance management software company started in Newark, is one example, creating 200 high paying jobs while developing a global customer base. And biotechnology companies like Incyte have invested in Delaware’s workforce as well. Incyte currently employs 400 Delaware residents, and recently had its first drug reach market. Their recent success and plans for continued research and growth means we will see further investment in our workforce.
The growth of these companies has been supported by the Delaware Economic Development Office and because of our commitment we have filled 3,000 more jobs than we were originally promised. By continuing to support businesses across many industries to ensure we are generating high quality opportunities, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.
