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Marketing campaign aims to attract tenants to Delaware vacant commercial properties

Gov. John Carney

A marketing campaign to attract tenants for vacant commercial properties in Downtown Dover could be used in other cities across Delaware to create more small businesses.

The Unlock the Block campaign in Dover is targeting prospective tenants for four downtown properties.

Dover small business owner Donyale Hall is a person of color and a disabled military veteran. The Republican State Senate candidate said she encourages other Delawareans like her to start their own business.

“There are incentives for those particular categories to incorporate," she said. "There’s pushes out there because there’s a complete community that just has not been tapped.”

Hall is seeking to replace retiring Democrat Brian Bushweller.

Gov. John Carney said last year’s revamp of DEDO, or the Delaware Economic Development Office, created the Delaware Division of Small Business - an office that can focus more on revitalizing downtown areas across the state.

“Our job is to the extent that we can is to create conditions where you all can be successful," he said. "To do marketing campaigns where you can sell your products in an effective way on Main Streets across our state.”

Entrepreneurs can submit applications through July 9th. The Downtown Dover Partnership will announce the winners in August after a pitch competition. Winners will get incentives including fee waivers, free business consulting services and technical assistance.

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