Delaware State University’s College of Business has received a $500,000 New Castle County Innovative Grant to create a web-based Covid Recovery Lab to help businesses in Delaware’s northernmost region to navigate the current Coronavirus environment.
Through an initiative entitled “Bounce Forward,” the COB will design and create an online platform designed to serve as a springboard for businesses in New Castle County to not only “bounce back” (return to normal operations) from the negative impact of the COVID pandemic, but “bounce forward” as well, a release stated.
The site will come with Covid-19 business information and best practices, as well as well as business and workforce training.
The platform will include:
- A data repository that will provide relevant and on-demand, real-time industry-specific data, and best-practices necessary to respond efficiently and effectively to dynamic economic conditions.
- Virtual business training courses tailored to specific industry opportunities, guidelines, and best practices.
- Applied research and consulting empower businesses with the necessary analytics and knowledge to provide both a platform that ensures resiliency and a springboard for businesses to propel into innovative products and designs that meet new economies’ demands. It will also include a peer-to-peer forum feature.
Dr. Michael Casson, Dean of the college, is the principal investigator of the grant. The Co-PIs are Dr. Praveen Pinjani, COB Associate Dean; Dr. Constant Beugre, Professor of Business Administration; and Lillie Crawford, Director of the COB’s Delaware Center for Entrepreneurial Development. A group of faculty researchers will also contribute their expertise to the project.
“The College of Business is eager to leverage the collective expertise of our faculty, staff, and students to support the businesses of New Castle County,” said Casson.
The New Castle County Innovative Grant that is funding the project comes from the federal Cares Act. The Covid Recovery Lab is slated to be completed and launched in January 2021.
In addition to its main campus, DSU operates a center west of Wilmington that offers graduate degrees and adult learning.
