Delaware.gov logo
Office of the Governor
JOHN CARNEY

Initiatives – Governor John Carney


Image of Governor Carney's Initiatives logo.

 

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.

 

 


 

Giving every Delawarean a strong education.

 

 

Wilmington Learning Collaborative. Wilmington Schools. Wilmington Voices.
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.

 

 
Governor Carney and school children
Opportunity Funding

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.

 

 

Governor Carney stands behind a podium holding a book while inside a library.
School Construction

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.  

 

Governor Carney with students from Nellie Stokes

“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 

 


 

Building a stronger community.

 

 

Governor Carney in a hard hat walks through a housing construction site with other members of the team.
Housing

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. 

 

 
State Employees and volunteers tilt a tree before planting it.
Climate

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.

 

 

Governor Carney speaking about Clean Water
Clean Water

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.
 

 

Wide open space in Delaware
Open Space

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.
 

Governor Carney and Secretary Scuse hold shovels

“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 

 


 

Building a stronger economy.

 

 
Governor Carney signs legislation in front of a group at First State Brewing
Site Readiness

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. 

 

 

Governor John Carney standing at a podium giving a press conference
Small Business Support

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.
 

 

Governor Carney reviews data on a computer at HX Innovations
Workforce Shortage

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.
 

Governor John Carney shaking hands with fellow Delawareans.

“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 

 


 

Creating a sustainable future through fiscal responsibility.

 

 
Governor Carney gives remarks standing behind a podium.
American Rescue Plan

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.

 

 
Governor Carney and others use shovels to break ground on a road construction project.
Infrastructure

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 holds Senate Bill 56 while seated at a desk and surrounded by legislators and advocates who are clapping.
Economic Relief

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.
 

Governor Carney holds up a signed version of the FY 23 budget

“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 


 

Important Initiatives.

 

 
FSCC Website Highlight
Family Services Cabinet Council

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.

 
Keep DE Litter Free
Keep DE Litter Free

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 working on an art project with a child
First Chance DE

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:

  • End childhood hunger and expand access to nutritious food for low-income children
  • Promote learning readiness through literacy, health, and parent-child engagement programs
  • Advance the recognition of and effective response to adverse childhood experiences

 


Related Topics:  , , , , , , , , , ,


+