Economic Development

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This collection provides resources for state and local governments, elected officials, citizens, the business community, and students on economic development-related issues and includes strategic plans, market analysis studies, and research on emerging topics in economic development. Visit the IPA website for more information.

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Now showing 1 - 19 of 19
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    Delaware Workforce Development Board Policy Manual
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2024-02) Burns, Haley Q.; Jordan, Joy V.; Sherretz, Kelly; Dykes, Lauren; DeMaio, Jenna
    The purpose of the Policy Manual is to support the internal operations of the Delaware Workforce Development Board, ensure the board is fulfilling its mandate, and help the board and staff best serve Delawareans. To complete this project, Institute for Public Administration (IPA) staff conducted best-practice research on other workforce development boards and organizations nationwide; collected, reviewed, and analyzed board policies, both physical and digital copies; and helped uncover potential areas for policy improvements.
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    Delaware Workforce Development Board Landscape Analysis
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2024-04) Burns, Haley Q.; Jordan, Joy V.; Sherretz, Kelly; Dykes, Lauren; DeMaio, Jenna
    This project was completed in partnership with the Delaware Workforce Development Board (DWDB) with collaboration from the Executive and Deputy Directors and DWDB partner agencies. The purpose of the landscape analysis is to assess state-level workforce development policies related to DWDB partner agencies and analyze these policies for potential areas of overlap or misalignment. To complete this project, Institute for Public Administration (IPA) staff compiled both federal and state policies related to workforce development and conducted interviews with DWDB partner agencies to better understand the workforce development ecosystem and flow of services.
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    Comprehensive Impact Analysis of the Freeman Arts Pavilion
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2023-03-31) Mix, Troy; Vichot, Reidel
    Funded by the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, this report details the results of an IPA analysis of the economic impacts of the Freeman Arts Pavilion’s programming from 2008 to 2022. Included within are quantitative estimates of the employment and spending contributions that the Freeman Arts Pavilion makes to Sussex County, Delaware. Whether based on the results of detailed economic models or survey responses, the Freeman Arts Pavilion makes a significant impact to Sussex County’s economic and cultural landscape, and its programming is greatly appreciated by patrons and community partners.
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    Comprehensive Impact Analysis of The Freeman Stage
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2019-08) Mix, Troy; Schenk, Ellen
    Funded by the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, this report details the results of an IPA analysis of the economic and non-economic impacts of The Freeman Stage’s programming from 2008 to 2018. Included within are quantitative estimates of the employment and spending contributions that The Freeman Stage makes to Sussex County and qualitative assessments of the cultural impacts made by The Freeman Stage performances and its Arts in Education Program. Whether based on the results of detailed economic models or survey responses, it is clear that The Freeman Stage makes a significant impact to Sussex County’s economic and cultural landscape, and its programming is greatly appreciated by patrons and community partners.
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    Complete Community Enterprise District Evaluation: Report on Project Activities
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2018-08) DeCoursey, William J.; Mix, Troy; Oza, Jeel
    Commissioned by the Delaware Department of Transportation, this report details the results of an IPA analysis of the Complete Community Enterprise District (CCED) legislation, which was signed into Delaware law in May 2016. According to the synopsis of the legislation, this Act “defines criteria for a local government to enter into an agreement with [DelDOT] to create transit-oriented development districts, called Complete Community Enterprise Districts...for the purposes of promoting economic development.” IPA’s evaluation focused on placing CCED within the context of similar initiatives in Delaware and nationwide; detailing the steps and procedures necessary to designate a CCED; analyzing the spatial suitability of areas within Delaware for CCED designation; and engaging planning and community stakeholders in conversations to assess and prioritize CCED implementation steps.
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    Inventory of Small Business Assistance Programs in Delaware
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2018-02) Kelly, Christopher; Barr, Hannah; Weir, Gerard; Mix, Troy
    Funded by the Division of Small Business within Delaware’s Department of State, this report lists and characterizes small business support services provided to Delaware businesses by public and nonprofit organizations. The inventory reflects best available information gathered by IPA from July through September 2017. Together with Delaware’s Small Business Landscape—available on the IPA publications webpage (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/resources/publications)—this report contributes to a comprehensive snapshot of small business conditions in Delaware and an assessment of policy and program opportunities the state could pursue as part of future small business and economic development efforts.
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    Delaware's Small Business Landscape
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2018-02) Mix, Troy; Kelly, Christopher; O'Neill, Sean; Barr, Hannah; Konzelman, Nicholas; Weir, Gerard
    Funded by the Division of Small Business within Delaware’s Department of State, this report provides a snapshot of small business activity in Delaware, an inventory of existing small business support services provided by public and non-profit organizations in Delaware, and an initial assessment of potential policy and program opportunities the state could pursue as part of future small business and economic development efforts.
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    Recommendations for Economic Development Action through Delaware’s Division of Small Business
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2018-04) Mix, Troy; Kelly, Christopher; O'Neill, Sean; McGowan, William
    Funded by the Division of Small Business within Delaware’s Department of State, this report provides recommendations to assist the Division in carrying out their business and economic development support mission. These recommendations were developed through extensive research and community outreach, and they reflect a widespread desire for the division to focus on developing a transparent, equitable, and vibrant economic development ecosystem through collaborative action.
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    Toward Heritage Tourism in Sussex County, Delaware
    (Institute for Public Administration, Coastal Community Enhancement Initiative, and the Center for Historic Architecture and Design, 2007-11) Homsey, Andrew R.; Ames, David; Jiang, Xuan; Gayley, Rebekah
    This research assesses the feasibility of heritage tourism as part of an economic development strategy for Sussex County, Delaware. The research presented within indicates that a program of heritage tourism has a great deal of promise, especially given that there is an already highly developed tourist infrastructure in many areas. In 2003, the county attracted 2.5 million visitors, mostly to the beach and resort communities in the east. There are, however, a relative lack of tourist draws in many other areas of the county. This study identifies seven distinct thematic groupings of heritage resources around which tourism programs may be built. Many of these thematic groupings have a wide geographic range, occurring both in the more populous and visited east as well as the less known regions in the central and western portions of the county. The seven themes are: the natural environment (including the coast), maritime tradition, beach resort communities, historic architecture, agriculture and agri-tourism, small towns, and religion.
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    Blue Collar Task Force: Report and Recommendations
    (2014-05-23) The Blue Collar Task Force
    In response to a joint executive and legislative directive authorized by the 147th Delaware General Assembly, this report serves as an analysis and provides recommendations on behalf of the Blue Collar Task Force (Task Force) regarding existing state policies, programs and practices to attract, retain and expand upon blue-collar jobs in Delaware. The report details the activities of the Task Force between August, 2013, and January, 2014, and includes ten recommendations to Governor Jack Markell and the Delaware General Assembly for action.
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    Delaware Libraries Governance and Funding: An Assessment of Operational Funding and Governance Issues for the Proposed Duck Creek Regional Library
    (2013-05) Freel, Edward; Bucsak, JennaLee
    This report assesses options for developing a reasonable and attainable operating funding plan to bridge the gap between the Smyrna Public Library's current funding and the projected funding for the new regional library. This report also suggests various governance options for directing the future regional library. The recommendations offered in this report are premised on the state delivery systems being maintained with little or no change to the status quo.
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    Stimulating Broadband Adoption in Delaware: A Planning Tool
    (2012-02-29) Homsey, Andrew; Patterson, Theodore; O'Boyle, Todd
    In  mid-­‐December  2009,  the  state  of  Delaware  was  awarded  funds  to  research  and  publish   broadband  options  for  its  citizens.  Governor  Jack  Markell  designated  the  Department  of   Technology  and  Information  (DTI)  as  the  agency  to  receive,  apply,  and  implement  the   funds,  according  to  the  guidelines  and  mandates  of  the  National  Telecommunications  and   Information  Administration  (NTIA).     In  2010  the  broadband-­‐mapping  portion  of  this  program  was  initiated  by  DTI,  consisting  of   data  collection,  the  development  of  a  statewide  broadband-­‐availability  map,  transmission   of  those  data  to  NTIA  for  the  development  of  its  national  broadband  map,  and  the  long-­‐ term  maintenance  of  these  data  by  the  state.    The  University  of  Delaware’s  Institute  for   Public  Administration  (IPA)  is  assisting  DTI  with  project-­‐data  collection,  public  outreach,   and  public  policy  development. The  Broadband  Planning  Tool,  which  the  current  document  represents,  includes  the   following  components.     Chapter  1.  Getting  the  Most  Out  of  Broadband  frames  the  issues  related  to  broadband  in   Delaware  by  exploring  the  benefits  of  broadband,  comparing  available  technologies,  and   examining  the  challenges  to  improving  connection.    Chapter  2.  Geospatial  Analysis  of  the   Factors  Affecting  the  Adoption  of  Broadband  in  Delaware  describes  and  quantifies  the   factors  that  contribute  to  broadband  connectivity  or  digital  isolation.     Appendix  1  provides  maps  of  the  latest  data  available  to  visualize  community  “hotspots”   and  “coolspots”  of  connectivity  across  Delaware.    Appendix  2  outlines  how  to  use  the   Broadband  Mapping  Tool.    The  tool  enables  planners  and  local  government  officials  to   evaluate  their  own  broadband  challenges  and  opportunities.    It  includes  three  Delaware   broadband  case  studies  from  across  the  state  to  demonstrate  how  to  improve  connectivity.     Appendix  3  lists  federal  grant  and  loan  programs  available  to  communities  and  agencies   across  the  state.    Each  entry  in  the  resource  list  includes  a  description  of  the  purpose  of   funding,  and  qualifications  for  each  program,  along  with  contact  information.
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    Fiscal Impacts of Development: Literature Review and Discussion
    (2010-09-10) Mix, Troy; Hurley, Rachael
    This project reviewed literature discussing the fiscal impacts of development and offers relevant commentary and recommendations in light of Delaware’s governance and growth characteristics. Chapter 1 reviews a broad set of literature outlining the fiscal impacts of growth and development, describes Delaware’s relatively unique governance characteristics, and discusses the distribution of the fiscal impacts of development across Delaware’s state and local governments. Chapter 2 describes and presents analysis of the various fiscal-impact-analysis methods used by governments to estimate the cost and revenue impacts of development. Chapter 3 outlines fiscal-impact-analysis applications that could be implemented by Delaware’s state, county, and municipal governments, offering several recommended first steps that would aid implementation. Finally, the annotated bibliography in the Appendix should prove a valuable resource for future research as it lists and briefly summarizes references reviewed for this report.
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    Broadband Opportunities for Sussex County
    (2009-08-18T20:04:09Z) Mix, Troy; Beauchamp, David; Wendt, Matthias
    Infrastructure is a key ingredient in the recipe for regional economic prosperity—a constant requirement as the U.S. economy evolves. Roads and rail connect cities, the electric grid connects industry with energy, and telephone lines connect businesses with customers. The current economy places a premium on the high-speed transfer of data that broadband infrastructure makes possible. Broadband—defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as advanced communications systems capable of providing high-speed transmission of services such as data, voice, and video over the Internet and other networks—has become a staple infrastructure in the diet of competitive regional economies (Federal Communications Commission, February 2009). This report highlights the opportunity for Sussex County, Delaware, to harness broadband infrastructure for economic development and urges policy action in that regard. Broadband technologies are described and defined in terms of their speed, availability, and future promise. Chapter 2 reviews selected community benefits and specific applications of broadband. Chapter 3 summarizes the status of broadband infrastructure and use in rural areas of the United States, with a particular focus on Sussex County. Finally, Chapter 4 provides a framework for policy discussions aimed at enhancing and expanding broadband infrastructure and use in Sussex County.
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    Demographic Multipliers in Delaware
    (2009-08-18T20:03:50Z) Mix, Troy; Xuan, Jiang
    This report summarizes research conducted to determine Delaware’s demographic multipliers. The report defines demographic multipliers, lists and describes Delaware’s residential and nonresidential multipliers, and provides guidance for using and updating multipliers. The appendices list all the multipliers calculated and collected for this report, and these data are also available in Microsoft Excel format to assist with future research and analysis.
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    Infrastructure in Sussex County, Delaware: Where, When & How?
    (2009-01-16T20:38:55Z) Bierma, Alisa
    This report stems from a desire to know more about vital infrastructure in Sussex County, Delaware. Where is the current infrastructure located? How much capacity is present? How many more users can that capacity accommodate? What came out of those questions were not answers but many more questions regarding not only what currently exists, but how it came to be and what the future holds.
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    Greater Georgetown Area Comprehensive Market Analysis
    (2009-01-16T20:38:26Z) Mix, Troy; Doss, Manoj; Temko, Ezra; Tolino, Amanda; Wendt, Matthias
    The Greater Georgetown Area Comprehensive Market Analysis was prepared for the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Georgetown to identify current and future opportunities for business expansion in the Georgetown area.The purpose of this project was to investigate regional market conditions in order to identify current and future opportunities for business expansion in the Greater Georgetown area. In that regard, this report contains a demographic and economic analysis of the population most likely to frequent Georgetown businesses, the results of a customer-intercept survey aimed at gathering opinions about shopping in the Georgetown area, an inventory of businesses within the 19947 zip code, and a comparative analysis of existing and potential retail and food-services sales within the area. Based on these data and analysis, a recommended path forward was prepared with an eye toward capitalizing on existing and emerging market opportunities and preserving those market advantages that the Greater Georgetown area currently enjoys.
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    Heritage Tourism Planning Guidebook: Methods for Implementing Heritage Tourism in Sussex County, Delaware
    (2008-08-25T19:10:55Z) Xuan, Jiang; Homsey, Andrew
    This Guidebook is designed to help communities in Sussex County, Delaware, build and implement heritage tourism programs. The strategies and activities in this Guidebook can be adopted by local communities wishing to use their cultural and historic resources to strengthen the local tourism industry. Heritage tourism has been shown to be an effective tool in the development and diversification of local economies aiming to foster strong economic growth while protecting a valuable but vulnerable cultural heritage. Heritage tourism is defined as “traveling to experience the places, artifacts, and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes cultural, historic and natural resources” (National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2008). Cultural heritage tourism has a wide range of potential benefits, a strong market potential, and has seen a surge in popularity and implementation in various places in recent decades. Many local government agencies, preservation groups, and economic development advocates have a very positive view of heritage tourism, since it can be a powerful engine of economic growth while helping improve the quality of life for local communities.
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    Fiscal Impacts of Development: Literature Review and Discussion
    (2008-08-25T19:00:15Z) Mix, Troy; Hurley, Rachael
    A few simple premises about growth and development directed the preparation of this report. First, regional growth and development certainly brings with it a whole host of benefits and costs. From a positive perspective, growth and development can provide residents with additional choices of where to live, work, and shop. It can generate new jobs, new tax revenue, and higher incomes and property values. However, growth and development can also create negative consequences, ranging from degraded environmental quality and increased traffic congestion to the loss of rural and historic character. Also, there is far from complete agreement on what constitutes good or bad growth. One person may aspire to live in a large home in a rural area, while another may derisively refer to such a home as a “McMansion.” Finally, reasonable people, regardless of their favorite housing style, tend to agree that growth and development does have a significant impact on state and local governments’ budgets. At the most basic level, increased population leads to increased costs.