Delaware

Delaware weekly roundup: Watch the gubernatorial debate; VFA closure fallout; Fasting-growing local companies – Technical.ly

Published

2 years ago

August 21, 2024

Delaware weekly roundup: Watch the gubernatorial debate; VFA closure fallout; Fasting-growing local companies – Technical.ly

Welcome to the roundup of the latest from Delaware’s tech and entrepreneurship scene. Want this in your inbox? Subscribe for free.

Gubernatorial candidates debate in Dover

Delaware’s six candidates for governor — three Democrats and three Republicans – spoke out at the Delaware Journalism Collaborative’s first debate of the season last week.

Though an attempt at broadcasting the debate from Dover Public Library simultaneously in both English and Spanish didn’t work out as planned, a full video of the event is now available, with Spanish transcription.

➡️ Check out the recap and watch the video here.

VFA alumni keep building entrepreneurship

The closure of Venture for America, a program that put entrepreneurial fellows into cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami and Birmingham was a disappointment for everyone involved. Many of the 1,400 alumni and fellows are determined to keep the momentum going, despite the downturn in VC funding to startups that contributed to the org shutting its doors.

One upside: With no more org rules, entrepreneurs in non-VFA places like Delaware may have an opportunity to get involved.

➡️ Read my report on the aftermath of VFA’s closure here.

Leveraging data to find solutions on the ground

So many big geospatial datasets, so little time — or really, so few professionals trained to leverage the wealth of information they contain. That’s why Temple University’s Geography, Environment and Urban Studies Department runs three professional science master’s degree programs that train more experts in the field.

Students in these GIS programs learn to harness the power of existing data to find novel approaches to urban and regional planning, public health, environmental assessments and other issues. If you’re into mapping and want to make an impact, this program could be for you.

“I feel like a lot of the social sciences are about defining problems,” a department professor told Technical.ly. “But with GIS, I feel like we’re kind of flipping that and figuring out solutions to the problems.”

➡️ Find out more about Temple’s GIS grad programs

This client spotlight supports our journalism. Want to see your message here? Contact sales@technical.ly

News Incubator: What else to know today

• Out of the 19 companies in the 2024 Inc. 5000 listed as being in Delaware, 11 are actually located here. That’s the result of out-of-state companies using DE-incorporated addresses and local mailboxes as their business address. [Social media post]

• Democratic National Convention attendees from Delaware support the Harris/Waltz ticket. Still, there are mixed emotions in the aftermath of President Joe Biden’s exit from the race. [New York Times]

• The Philadelphia Inquirer endorses Matt Meyer for governor of Delaware, citing projects like the Hope Center and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long’s financial controversies. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

• Chemours opened an electric vehicle battery lab at the Discovery Hub at the University of Delaware STAR Campus. Ten employees will start developing battery electrodes using Chemours’ existing Teflon research. [Delaware Business Times]

• The Delaware Department of Education released a guide for navigating AI in the classroom and avoiding problems like plagiarism and information bias. The guide is the culmination of an eight-month effort with the state’s Council on Educational Technology. [Town Square Live]

• CP Cases, a UK-based manufacturing company with a subsidiary in Frankford, which was a location project of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, has been 87% acquired by the global firm Lagercrantz. Delaware-based US general manager Peter Gill and founder Peter Ross will retain 13% ownership in the company’s shares. [Delaware Prosperity Partnership]

• Phish’s four-day Mondegreen Festival in Dover last weekend drew about 45,000 people from as far as New Zealand and Japan. Many said they’d come back to Delaware — at least if Phish returns for another festival. [The News Journal]

• Attack ads on Delaware candidates for governor are often funded by out-of-state PACs, whose millions dwarf the candidates’ local fundraising. One of the biggest donors is NYC-based TransPerfect CEO Phil Shawe, who’s had a beef with the Delaware Chancery Court for nearly a decade. [Spotlight Delaware/The News Journal]

• Norwegian company AquaCon is turning the old Bainbridge Naval Base west of Newark on the edge of Cecil County, Maryland into a $320 million salmon farm. The project will be built in two phases, starting next year. [Delaware Business Now]

• The New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District upgraded its St. George’s High School facility with solar panels on rooftops and fields, funded by an Energize Delaware Grant. The company contracted to install the panels, Seiberlich Trane Energy Services, said 50% of its service engineers graduated from the Vo-Tech district. [WDEL]

• A local photographer captured the northern lights on the Delaware Bay. While the 2 a.m. light show was partially visible to the naked eye, the bright pink and yellow in the photo were produced using a 10-second exposure on an iPhone 15 Pro Max. [The Cape Gazette]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Wednesday, Aug. 21 — It’s Bizness Time with Full Carbon, Stitch House Brewery, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. [Details]

• Thursday, Aug. 22 — 3rd Annual HBCU College Fair, Teen Warehouse, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. [Details]

• Saturday, Aug. 24 — Milk & Honey Small Business Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. [Details]

• Tuesday, Aug. 27 — Delaware Journalism Collaborative U.S. House of Representatives Debate with a live stream, 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm [Details]

• Tuesday, Aug. 27 — DEBCC: Know Your Rights as an Undocumented Business Owner online seminar, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. [Details]

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Delaware

Bill to create film tax credit clears Delaware House committee

Published

8 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Press Room

Bill to create film tax credit clears Delaware House committee

A Delaware bill creating a film production tax credit cleared its first hurdle May 6, advancing out of the House Revenue & Finance Committee.

Several states offer film and television production tax credits and other incentives to lure projects, often to boost jobs, tourism and visibility.

Delaware does not – at least for now.

The proposal mirrors a recommendation in Delaware’s 5% operational spending growth and accompanying revenue plan, released alongside Gov. Matt Meyer’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, and would put the state in line with most of the country.

What does the bill do?

Backed by House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, this House bill would create a new film production tax credit for the First State.

Delaware remains one of a few states that does not already have a film tax credit or a similar incentive in place, according to the Dover Democrat.

This means that spending in these sectors – from hotel stays to equipment rentals – is going to other states.

And while other revenue streams have served and continue to serve Delaware well, Harris said, it is also crucial to ensure the state is positioned “for the next generation of economic growth.”

The bill would offer eligible productions – including films, TV shows and video games — a nonrefundable tax credit equal to 30% of qualified expenses, usable against personal income and corporate taxes.

To qualify, companies must show their activities resulted in expenditures more than $500,000 during any consecutive 12-month period. They must also present opportunities to Delawareans to come onboard projects as interns.

Companies must also obtain “an independent audit” out of their own pockets, authenticating eligible expenses. These expenses can include any cost tied back to production, pre-production or post-production that took place within state lines.

These credits would also be transferrable – so long as they are approved by the state Division of Small Business – and can be extended for upwards of five years.

This bill mirrors a similar proposal included in a presented 5% operational spending growth and adjoining revenue plan.

The plan set aside up to $10 million in new revenue for a film tax credit to spur Delaware’s creative economy, though the actual cost would depend on how many productions apply.

Should this bill become law, the state will have a similar cap at $10 million every year, according to Harris.

This isn’t the first time lawmakers have seen this legislation.

In the hours before last year’s session ended, state Rep. Michael Smith backed a bill that would also establish a film tax credit for Delaware.

Also known as the Delaware Entertainment Job Act, the bill would have also established a 30%, “transferable tax credit for an investment in the state” for qualified productions.

Like its legislative relative, the bill would have required productions to bring First State residents as interns to qualify for this credit, as well as produce an audit of expenditures once production has wrapped.

Doing this, the bill argued, would spur job creation, artistic ventures and investment in the media industry.

The bill was also assigned to the House Revenue & Finance Committee, but did not advance. Smith signed on as a co-prime sponsor of this latest bill, according to Harris.

Former Rep. Valerie Longhurst introduced a near-verbatim measure to Smith’s bill back in 2022, but it did not make it all the way through the House.

What do lawmakers, Delawareans think?

For the most part, committee members were receptive to the bill.

Rep. Kendra Johnson was enthusiastic about the bill, asking to come on board as a co-signer of the bill.

She pointed to the HBO crime drama series “Task,” whose entire second season is scheduled to be filmed entirely in southeastern Pennsylvania, starting July 6.

Delaware’s neighbor state was reportedly investing $49.8 million into the project – the largest tax credit bestowed by the state to a single production, as reported by WHYY last year.

The projection is also set to create 3,700 jobs and infuse $194.1 million back into its economy.

Pennsylvania’s current tax credit program offers a 25% to 30% credit to productions that spend no lesser than 60% of their total funds within state lines.

“Imagine the economic growth that is happening there, that could be happening here,” Johnson told the panel.

Others have thrown their support behind bringing a film tax credit to Delaware.

Meyer is one such advocate. He mentioned during his State of the State address that Delaware not offering film tax credits made no sense, considering the latest Superman movie is “literally set” in the First State.

“They should be shooting here,” he said. “We’re just going to let so many other neighboring states soak up all of that Hollywood money?”

Other groups, including the Delaware Arts Alliance and the Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association, have also thrown their support behind the bill, Harris said.

What happens now?

The bill will continue to move through the House.

If signed into law, it would take effect starting July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year.

But lawmakers will need to move quickly – they only have until June 30 to have it passed in both chambers. Otherwise, they’ll need to start all over again come next session.

Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Motorcyclist dies in Ogletown crash as traffic deaths surge in Delaware

Published

20 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Press Room

Motorcyclist dies in Ogletown crash as traffic deaths surge in Delaware

A 34-year-old Newark motorcyclist has died following an evening crash May 5 in Ogletown, Delaware State Police said.

The motorcyclist’s name was withheld by police on May 6 until his family could be notified.

The Ogletown crash is one of six fatalities that have plagued officials across the state since May 4, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation. Officials added that between the night of May 5 into the morning of May 6, was the deadliest 12 hours on Delaware roads in nearly six years.

“It’s certainly alarming to have more than 15% of our total fatalities to date this year happen over the past four days,” C.R. McLeod, a DelDOT spokesman, told Delaware Online/The News Journal.

Other fatal crashes that occurred in that 12-hour span include:

A motorcycle crash in Stanton that left a 29-year-old Wilmington man dead when he ran a red light and his Harley-Davidson Sportster struck a Nissan Rogue at the Churchmans Road intersection with Center Pointe Plaza about 7:20 p.m. May 5, Delaware State Police said.
A crash in Dover that killed a 26-year-old woman who struck a tree about 1 a.m. May 6, Dover police said.
A 23-year-old Millsboro woman was killed when she failed to navigate a curve on Coastal Highway north of Lewes about 1:30 a.m. May 6, Delaware State Police said.

As of May 6, DelDOT was reporting 38 traffic fatalities on Delaware roads – a 27% jump from last year at the same time.

Ogletown crash

As the man was riding a Honda CBR east on Christiana Road toward Harmony Road, police said, an Audi Q5 was turning left from westbound Christiana Road into McIntosh Plaza.

For reasons still under investigation, the Honda struck the Audi’s passenger side about 6 p.m., police said. This caused the motorcyclist to be ejected.

The motorcyclist was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Audi’s driver, a 37-year-old Bear man, did not report any injuries, police said.

Troopers are asking anyone with information about the Ogletown crash to contact investigators at (302) 365-8483. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

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Delaware

Pick your own strawberries at these Delaware farms this spring

Published

1 day ago

May 6, 2026

Press Room

Pick your own strawberries at these Delaware farms this spring

Late spring is prime strawberry season in Delaware, and we’ve gathered all you need to know to embark on a strawberry-picking adventure.

With clear skies and plenty of sunshine, picking a bucket of Delaware’s official fruit is a great family outing or something fun to do with friends, while also supporting local farmers.

Before you go, make sure you check the weather forecast, pack a water bottle and apply sunscreen. It is also recommended that you wear closed-toe shoes when picking produce on the farms.

For anyone who is new to the world of strawberry picking, all you have to do is pinch the green stem between your thumb and index finger, then lightly pull and twist at the same time.

A few more key tips for a successful berry bounty include picking only strawberries that are fully red, looking through plant beds that are less picked over and not picking any berries with white tips, green berries or strawberry flowers.

To help your strawberries last longer, refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking them and only wash them right before you plan to eat them. If you won’t be using them soon after picking them, wash them, remove the stems and freeze them.

Now that we’ve gone through the basics, here are several local farms ready to provide a day full of strawberry picking:

Fifer Orchards, Camden

Recognized as a Delaware century family farm, having opened in 1919, Fifer Orchards in Camden offers strawberry picking Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the U-Pick experience. U-Play admission features yard games perfect for families, with picnic tables and restrooms for public use. Saturday admission requires an all-inclusive Spring Fest ticket.

You also can stop by the Farm Store to purchase local goodies and a selection of the orchard’s fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you find yourself getting hungry after picking strawberries, the Farm Kitchen building sells lunch and dessert items including cider doughnuts, strawberry ice cream, apple cider slushies and homemade strawberry shortcakes.

Looking for another u-pick offering? Fifer Orchards Provides u-pick blueberries in June and July from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and u-pick peaches on Fridays and Saturdays in July and early August from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. U-pick flowers are available from July to mid-August Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The farm uses its Facebook page to keep guests updated on daily picking conditions and orchard offerings.

1919 Allabands Mill Road, Camden, (302) 697-2141; fiferorchards.com/.

Hundred Acre Farms, Smyrna

Hundred Acre Farms in Smyrna is located on about three acres of land and focuses on fruits, vegetables, bees, small batch jams and Christmas trees. Purchased in 1938, the farm is nearly a century old.

The small family farm offers strawberry picking while they are in season. The farm said in an April 21 Facebook post that u-pick strawberries will begin in May, so stay tuned for updates on when the berries are ready.

Following your day in the fields, check out some of their homemade honey jams that come in two strawberry flavors. Their red, black and blue jam is made with strawberries, blackberries and blueberries, and their strawberry apple jam, one of their most popular flavors, includes strawberries, apples, honey and no added sugar.

If you’re unable to partake in a day of fruit picking but still want fresh local produce, Hundred Acre Farms offers a pick-up option so visitors can have their favorite farm produce set aside for them. All you need to do is reserve your items through the farm and they will deliver the order right to your car when you arrive.

2124 Vandyke Greenspring Road, Smyrna, (602) 689-6403; hundredacrefarms.org/.

Twisted Steel Cattle Co. LLC, Harrington

In Harrington, Twisted Steel Cattle Co. LLC is a farm market specializing in homegrown beef, produce and other goods.

Strawberry picking is usually open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, but keep an eye on Twisted Steel’s Facebook page for daily updates on picking conditions.

If you want more strawberry goodness, they offer prepicked strawberries by the quart, berries for dipping or that have been pre-dipped and fresh strawberry jam.

Preorder and pickup options also are available for any of their market offerings.

14255 S. DuPont Hwy., Harrington, (302) 566-6943; facebook.com/TwistedSteelBeef/.

Parsons Farms Produce, Dagsboro

Parsons Farms Produce in Dagsboro began offering U-Pick strawberries by the gallon in April.

Strawberry picking is typically open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. If you want more strawberry goodness, they offer prepicked strawberries by the quart, berries for dipping or that have been pre-dipped and fresh strawberry jam.

To make the U-Pick outing complete, they also have fresh beef for sale, a country store filled with fresh produce, ice cream, events and farm animals available for feeding and petting.

Blueberries and peaches are also available in the spring and summer months. The farm’s Facebook page will provide u-pick updates as the crops change.

30391 Armory Road, Dagsboro, (302) 732-3336;parsonsfarmsproduce.com/.

Ramsey’s Farm, Brandywine Hundred

Ramsey’s Farm in Brandywine Hundred has plenty of U-Pick options throughout the year, including strawberries. The farm announced on Facebook in late April that strawberry U-Pick season was about one month away. Stay tuned on their social media for more updates.

Beyond berries, flowers will be available at Ramsey’s farm stand later in the year, along U-Pick pumpkins and a variety of fall fun.

440 Ramsey Road, Brandywine Hundred, (302) 496-6426; ramseysfarm.com/.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

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