The group charged with coming up with a plan to restructure the Delaware Economic Development Office will hold its first meeting on Friday.
The public/private Delaware Economic Development Working Group will meet at 1 p.m. at Delaware Technical & Community College – Wilmington Campus, 333 N Shipley St, Wilmington, Conference Rooms A & B. The entrance is 300 N. Orange St.
The Working Group reserves the right to conduct the meeting in one or more executive sessions closed to the public for the purpose of discussing certain confidential commercial, financial or privileged information that is not a matter of public record, a release stated. However, the agenda, which is subject to change, does call for a period for public comments.
However, the agenda, which is subject to change, does call for a period for public comments.
In advance of the meeting, additional information may be obtained from, and written comments may be submitted to, Bernice.Whaley@state.de.us).
See story below on appointees to the group.
Gov. John Carney issued an executive order calling for the working group to study DEDO shortly after taking office in January. He has held up an appointment of an economic development director, pending the outcome of the restructuring efforts.
Current DEDO Director Bernice Whaley has remained at her post and has been named to the working group.
Carney has said he would like to see a public/private partnership modeled after successful programs in other states.
Such efforts often involve private sector support, one nearby example being the Chester County Development Council in Pennsylvania.
A recommendation calling for the partnership was part of an economic report released last year by the Delaware Business Roundtable.
In a brief interview after an update on the economic impact of tourism, Carney said all operations of the DEDO are on the table, including the tourism office.
The group is operating on a tight schedule, with an April deadline for making its recommendations.
