![Hammering out a draw bar on the steam drop hammer in the blacksmith shop, Santa Fe R.R. shops, Albuquerque, N[ew] Mex[ico) (LOC)](https://i0.wp.com/delawarebusinessnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/hammering-out-a-draw-bar-on-the-steam-drop-hammer-in-the-blacksmith-shop-santa-fe-r-r-shops-albuquerque-n-ew-mex-ico-loc.jpg?w=696 "Hammering out a draw bar on the steam drop hammer in the blacksmith shop, Santa Fe R.R. shops, Albuquerque, N[ew] Mex[ico) (LOC)")
- Hammering out a draw bar on the steam drop hammer in the blacksmith shop, Santa Fe R.R. shops, AlbuquerqueThe Library of Congress / Foter.com
A task force looking for ways to spur blue collar employment in the state suggested streamlining regulations and licensing, while spurring construction of capital projects that have been delayed by tight budgets.
“Hard-working Delawareans who want to help take care of their families and improve our state have been sidelined in recent years by changes in our national and global economies,” said Sen. Robert Marshall, D-Wilmington west, who drafted the legislation creating the task force and served as its co-chairman. “We hope this plan is used as a blueprint to help get our blue collar workforce back on the job.”
Other recommendations included seeking business for the port of Wilmington, extending natural gas pipelines in Kent and Sussex counties to spur industry and increasing support for the Delaware Economic Development Office. The investment in capital projects has long been suggested as a way to aid the economy, given the state’s sound bond rating and low interest rates. The task force did not make funding recommendations. At the same time, Gov. Jack Markell has warned that there will be little room for added spending given the state’s financial outlook.
The task force noted there are currently are about 47,000 manufacturing and construction jobs in the state down from about 66,000 jobs in those areas in 2002
