The City of Newark issued the following statement after the University of Delaware decision to terminate a lease for the Data Centers. The city’s Board of Adjustment approved rezoning of the STAR campus site. Opponents had taken the city to court and the matter resulted in long hours of discussion at City Council meetings as opponents and supporters packed the chambers.
Supporters of the project fear that the controversy over the project and the stance of opponents could endanger efforts to grow the city’s economy following the closings in recent years of the Chrysler and Avon plants.
The following is the text of the statement.
“While we understand the university’s decision, Newark will continue to welcome and encourage business development initiatives at the site,” stated City Manager Carol Houck. “We will work with the University and the State to identify tenants that will complement the innovative goals of the STAR Campus.”
“Newark remains dedicated to creating and sustaining a multi-faceted economic base and, for that reason, we will continue to attract a diverse range of high-quality business and industrial firms,” said Mayor Polly Sierer. “The STAR Campus will continue to be a high profile and attractive location that’s ready for development and well situated.”
“Moving forward, Newark has already demonstrated its commitment to streamlining our permitting and certificate processes for new businesses through the provision of a ‘Red Tape Tips’ booklet and our fast-track application processing model. Our community understands that economic development helps to ease the tax burden on homeowners while raising much needed funds for infrastructure improvements and to maintain service levels,” stated Houck.
“Providing a high level of commitment and support has attracted businesses to Newark such as Bloom Energy and more recently Natural by Nature an independent, family-owned Natural Dairy Products Corporation, that relocated its headquarters and dairy operation to our community,” said Planning and Development Director Maureen Feeney-Roser. “Additionally, GE Aviation, an established Newark business, has expanded its operations in the City.”
“We are poised to welcome a new 3D printing firm, Sovereign Air, to our downtown business district,” said Downtown Newark Partnership Administrator/Planner Ricky Nietubicz. “In fact, downtown Newark, recognized in 2011 as a Great American Main Street Award winner, has welcomed twelve new businesses in the past year, and has seen a steady stream of private investment for over a decade.”
This is major set back to the state of Delaware. I find it hard to believe that the TDC and UDEL could not find some sort of compromise. I guess the ‘Cloud” will make it’s home in a more business friendly state.