
Governor Carney took office on January 17, 2017 focused on making Delaware's economy more competitive, preparing Delaware's children to succeed, and protecting our environment.
Working with Delawareans across the state - and with members of the General - we’re making real progress on each those priorities.
We’re rebuilding our infrastructure and creating good-paying jobs. We’re making historic investments in Delaware’s public schools, and preserving record amounts of farmland and open space statewide.
And just three years after climbing out of a $400 million budget deficit, we are on sound financial footing and investing in our future.
Take a look below at the progress we’ve made together.
Continued Initiatives
Featured News from Governor Carney

Supporting DE’s Small Businesses
Governor John Carney and the Division of Small Business launched EDGE Grants (Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion) to assist Delaware entrepreneurs who want to grow their small businesses.

Investing in High-Needs Schools
Governor Carney’s Opportunity Funding Initiative provides $75 million over three years for targeted resources toward Delaware’s most disadvantaged students. This investment includes $15 million for mental health and reading supports for high-needs Delaware schools.

Raising Tobacco Sales Age to 21
Governor Carney supported and signed legislation that increased the age to purchase tobacco and vape products from 18 to 21 to prevent younger Delawareans from smoking, improve the health of young Delawareans, and reduce health care costs.
Action Plan for Delaware — Our Progress
Signed legislation that allows new mothers and fathers in the state workforce to take up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of their children.
Created the Opportunity Funding Initiative, which will provide $75 million over three years for English learners, low-income students, and new mental health supports in schools.
Signed the first major reforms to the Coastal Zone Act, clearing the way for additional redevelopment and cleanup of legacy industrial sites.
Strengthened protections for Delawareans whose personal information is threatened by breaches of cyber security.
Signed the Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act, establishing a refundable tax credit for qualified investors in Delaware small businesses to spur job creation and innovation.
Redirected new resources to support small businesses and entrepreneurs through a new small business office within the Department of State.
Restructured Delaware's economic development efforts, partnering strategically with the private sector to attract business and jobs to Delaware.
Signed into law a package of legislation that expanded access to substance abuse treatment, and strengthened oversight of opioid prescriptions.
Preserved 9,382 acres of farmland on Delaware farms.
Committed to eliminating broadband deserts in 2020 to build Delaware’s innovation economy.
In just three years, Governor Carney and the General Assembly turned a $400 million deficit into a $200 million surplus, with $125 million in reserves.
Signed the Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act to confront the issue of gun safety and mental illness.
Finalized a $600 million agreement to expand the Port of Wilmington and create jobs.
Established a consistent anti-discrimination policy across state government.
Created the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review Board (GEAR) to continuously identify cost savings and system improvements across state government.
Signed legislation to lower health care costs for Delaware families, businesses, and state government through the launch of a health care benchmark initiative.
Created a Department of Human Resources within state government to spearhead women's advocacy, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and other issues important to state employees.
Expanded access to public data through Delaware's Open Data Portal.
Facilitated access to credit and capital to foster small business and entrepreneur growth through EDGE Grants (Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion).
Initiatives — Governor Carney's Priorities
Nearly three years since Governor Carney took office, state government is working for Delawareans. Governor Carney and his team have:
STRENGTHENING DELAWARE'S ECONOMY
IMPROVING SCHOOLS FOR ALL DELAWARE CHILDREN
A HEALTHIER DELAWARE
INVESTING IN PUBLIC SAFETY
BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES
RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT
Events
Opportunity Funding
Raising Tobacco Sales Age to 21
Supporting Small Businesses
Launching #KeepDELitterFree
Student Loan Relief for Educators
Paid Parental Leave
Work-A-Day, Earn-A-Pay Goes Statewide
Governor Carney signs FY 2020 Budget
Protecting the DE River Basin
Expanding the Port of Wilmington
Related Topics: action plan, community, economy, education, government, health, healthcare, Improve public safety, initiatives, public health, responsible government