Gov. John Carney will kick off his first term on Wednesday with an announcement related to the Delaware Economic Development Office.
The early afternoon announcement comes after Carney suggested that a restructuring was needed at the agency, citing feedback from businesspeople and others.
Carney, who will be sworn into office on Tuesday, has held off on naming a director of the office
The governor-elect told members of the Delaware State Chamber at the group’s annual dinner that an economic strategy was a top priority and would have more to say on the issue.
Delaware has struggled with creating blue collar jobs outside of construction following the closing of the state’s two auto plants in 2008 and 2009.
In his campaign advertising, Carney, who grew up in the blue-collar community of Claymont, suggested that the state needed to do more in creating good jobs.
Claymont lost its steel mill a few years ago during Markell’s term, with a few critics claiming it fell victim to high electricity costs arising from alternative energy mandates.
Some also took he advertising message as a subtle jab at Markell’s economic development strategy, which has been most successful in aiding in the expansion of financial services and lower-paid warehouse jobs.
Markell has not taken offense and has been generous in his praise Carney, who he defeated in the Democratic primary eight years ago.
In choosing an economic development director, Carney would have a chance to reach across the aisle.
Markell did that in picking former Happy Harry’s CEO Alan Levin as DEDO secretary. At various times, Levin was mentioned as a candidate for governor.
To date, Carney has mainly stuck with Markell administration holdovers and fellow Democrats in his cabinet picks.
