Delaware Gov. John Carney praised job creation and retention efforts in Delaware during a speech at the annual dinner of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce on Monday night.
The event was attended by 1,100 who packed the banquet-meeting area of Wilmington’s Chase Center on the Riverfront. The governor traditionally offers remarks at the dinner, which comes on the eve of the convening of the General Assembly.
Carney pointed to the creation of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, the growth in jobs at the University of Delaware Star Campus and the recent decision by a unit of a Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing company to build a facility in Middletown as evidence of the success of progress.
The Prosperity Partnership is a public-private entity that handles much of the work of the former Delaware Economic Development Office.
A report from the partnership said its efforts contributed to the formation of 5,000 new jobs in Delaware since 2018.
Carney said the administration is also focusing on small businesses. As part of the restructuring that led to the formation of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, the Division of Small Business was formed.
The division was pressed into action during the Covid-19 pandemic with small business programs. It also took heat in dealing with restrictions that were imposed in the early phase of the pandemic.
Carney offered few hints on his agenda other than to say that he would continue to seek a state budget with a cushion for periods when state revenues see a downturn.
Carney took note of the $400 million shortfall that came as his administration took office and tough budget decisions that followed.
The state now has a surplus of hundreds of millions of dollars and many in attendance at the dinner would like to see business and individual tax cuts.
