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 Assembly- we’re making real progress on each of 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.
Wilmington Learning Collaborative
The Collaborative’s goal is to create consistency for students, empower educators, school leaders, and communities, and improve outcomes for students in City of Wilmington schools.
Districts and charter schools in Delaware are receiving weighted funding to better support the state’s most disadvantaged students. Working with the General Assembly, Governor Carney set aside $75 million over three years, beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, for English learners, low-income students and new mental health support in schools. By Fiscal Year 2025, annual funding for the program will increase to $60 million each year.
We have directed one-time revenue into one-time projects and built the largest infrastructure program in Delaware history – two years in a row. We are repairing our roads and bridges and building new schools in communities up and down our state.
That includes a state-of-the-art school that will replace Bancroft on the east side of Wilmington – the first new school in our largest city in a generation.
“All children should be able to read at grade level by third grade. Be proficient in math by middle school. And graduate high school ready for college or a career. If we meet those targets, our students will be better off in the long run. And our state will be stronger. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: too many students are behind. That’s especially true among our most vulnerable students. And that’s just not acceptable. We need everyone to lean into this issue.”
Governor John Carney
Every Delawarean should have a safe and affordable place to live and raise a family. Governor Carney is investing over $100 million in affordable housing throughout the state, funded in part by the American Rescue Plan Act.
For more than a decade, Delaware has taken steps to address the causes and consequences of climate change. But we need to do more. Delaware’s Climate Action Plan, which is the result of a year-long process involving residents, businesses and technical experts, is a roadmap for how the state can prepare for climate change in the decades ahead.
All Delawareans deserve clean water. The Delaware Clean Water Initiative for Underserved Communities helps provide clean public drinking water and updated wastewater treatment to communities throughout the state.
Delaware’s Open Space Program aims to protect the state’s natural and cultural assets by permanently preserving them for future generations to enjoy. The Delaware Open Space Council coordinates each acquisition to expand state parks and preserves, fish and wildlife areas, state forests and cultural resource sites.
“In the Oath of Office, we all take as elected officials, we pledge to ‘respect the right of future generations to share the rich historic and natural heritage of Delaware.’ But, that natural heritage is under threat. We’re the lowest-lying state in the nation. And the effects of climate change and sea level rise on Delaware communities are real. We’re seeing them every day. That’s why we need to take action. With the help of federal infrastructure funding, we will accelerate efforts to build out Delaware’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. And we’ll restore investments in the Clean Water Trust – to protect our waterways and drinking water.”
Governor John Carney
The Delaware Site Readiness Fund promotes economic growth and stability by investing in the development or improvement of commercial and industrial sites to attract job-creating businesses. The Fund provides grants, loans or other economic assistance to qualified businesses or local governments that invest in constructing, renovating or improving infrastructure for sites that will attract new businesses or expand existing businesses within the State.
Small businesses are the backbone of Delaware’s economy. The Delaware Division of Small Business supports small business owners with programs like the EDGE Grants to kick-start their businesses.
Currently, we have more job openings than people looking for work. We’re competing for new business investment and talent. Our ability to compete will depend on our success building a highly-skilled workforce ready for jobs for the future.
“I believe that our success as a state must start with building a strong and growing economy. We know that a good job solves a lot of problems – and that’s not just political rhetoric.”
Governor John Carney
The American Rescue Plan Act, championed by Delaware’s Congressional Delegation and signed into law by President Joe Biden, will allow Delaware to invest $925 million in one-time funded projects throughout the state. These investments will provide economic growth and help build a stronger, more equitable economy for all Delawareans.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, championed by Delaware’s Congressional Delegation and signed into law by President Joe Biden, is a once-in-a-generation commitment to improving roads, bridges, transit, water and wastewater systems, broadband, energy and other infrastructure areas. In its first year, more than $700 million of funding has come to Delaware for a wide variety of programs across the state.
Governor Carney signed House Bill 360, bipartisan legislation creating the Delaware Relief Rebate Program. This provided every adult Delaware taxpayer with a $300 direct payment to help with the rising costs at the grocery store and gas pump.
“We can’t make any of these investments – in education, in our economy, in environmental protection and public safety – if we don’t have our fiscal house in order. Over the past six years, we have charted a responsible course, together. We’ve protected taxpayer dollars and directed investments where they can have the greatest impact. I’ve talked to a lot of taxpayers over the years – and that’s what they expect of us. When I took office six years ago, we were facing an almost $400 million deficit. Now, we have $400 million more in reserves for when the economy turns down again which we know will happen at some point. Despite a global pandemic that ravaged our economy – we have turned a significant deficit into a surplus. We have directed one-time revenue into one-time projects and built the largest infrastructure program in Delaware history – two years in a row now.”
Governor John Carney
The Family Services Cabinet Council is breaking down silos to better serve Delaware families. The Council is coordinating public and private services that are often fragmented, making the delivery of state services more effective.
Delaware is a beautiful state. Our beaches, our parks, and outdoor spaces are part of what makes our state so special. But we have a big litter problem. That’s why Governor Carney, in partnership with Keep Delaware Beautiful, has launched a statewide anti-litter campaign. We will encourage Delawareans and visitors to not litter, to help clean up our outdoor spaces, and protect our unique natural heritage.
First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney is leading the First Chance Delaware initiative. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that all of Delaware’s children have a “first chance” to succeed.
First Chance Delaware encourages public, private, non-profit, philanthropic, business entities and community partnerships that work to:
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