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Carney's economic plan would transition state from industry to innovation

Congressman John Carney says he’ll work to transition Delaware from an industrial-based economy to an innovation-based economy if he’s elected governor.

 

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate unveiled a five-part economic plan at a New Castle County Chamber luncheon in Wilmington Friday.

 

He said a key part of his plan will be growing and attracting small businesses.   

 

“In Delaware we’re going to rely less on big corporations like DuPont, which has been a cornerstone company in our state for 200 years and focus more on small businesses and startup companies,” Carney said.

 

Other parts of Carney’s plan include streamlining business regulations by modernizing the state’s 40-year-old statutory framework and cutting permit regulations for farmers while providing them with marketing assistance.  

 

He also wants to build the state’s workforce through programs that help prepare students and veterans for high skill, high paying careers.   

 

Carney's economic plan is big on making the state business friendly, but he said that doesn't mean the state can't protect it's environment.

 

“One of the things that we know that businesses look at when they decide to move to a particular location is the quality of life and the health and quality of the environment,” he said.

 

A key component of his plan is incentivizing companies to cleanup and purchase polluted industrial sites. He also wants to repurpose old industrial sites along the Delaware River for recreational use.

Carney’s economic plan would also improve nutrient management regulations in agriculture. He proposes using new, innovative solutions to capture and reuse these nutrients.

Carney’s plan also calls for a continued commitment to preserving farmland from commercial development. 

 
 

Highlights of the plan:

 

I. Creating new “old” jobs:

 

Revitalize former industrial sites.

 

Expand the Port of Wilmington.

 

Create a Supplier Diversity Action Plan that will help minority-owned or woman-owned small businesses.

 

II. Building the Innovation Economy:

 

Restructure the Delaware Economic Development Office to be more entrepreneurial and proactive.

 

Targeted marketing strategy focusing on Delaware’s strengths for attracting entrepreneur investment.

 

Develop stronger partnerships between government, private businesses, and Delaware’s chambers of commerce.

 

Create and implement a science and technology plan for the state to attract and retain talent and businesses in the areas of energy, agriculture, biotechnology and sustainable chemistry.

 

Improve broadband access in rural parts of the state.

 

III. Strengthening Delaware’s Workforce:

 

Create a Responsive Workforce Development Program.

 

Expand Career Pathways Programs (for students). Strengthen ties between higher ed, vocational training and the business community.

 

Help give veterans a head start in the construction field by building partnerships with construction trades, union locals and Delaware contractors.

 

Incentivize re-hiring and on-the-job training through adjustments to unemployment insurance.

 

IV. Cut Red Tape That Stifles Economic Growth:

 

Create one state entity where companies wanting to create jobs can secure all the necessary permits in an expedited manner.

 

Streamline Delaware’s regulations by modernizing the state's 40-year-old statutory framework.

 

Modernize antiquated administrative law framework with a system of administrative law judges.

 

Streamline redundant and inefficient processes through technology.

 

V. Growing the Agriculture Economy:

 

Improve nutrient management regulations.

 

Reduce permitting barriers to break the gridlock on poultry farm construction loan permits.

 

Continue preserving farmland from development.

 

Promote agribusiness through improved marketing assistance for farmers and the promotion of agribusiness through trade within North and South America.