DSHA accepting applications for large project reservations

DOVER, DE –  The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) is pleased to announce that the Downtown Development Districts (DDD) Rebate Program is now open and accepting applications for the 2026 funding round. The DDD Rebate program is designed to spur private capital investment, stimulate job growth, improve the commercial vitality of our cities, and help build stable communities in our downtowns. Currently, there are 12 designated districts: City of New Castle, Clayton, Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown, Harrington, Laurel, Middletown, Milford, Seaford, Smyrna and Wilmington.

Approximately $3.5 million in rebate funding is available to qualified investors for Large Projects in this round.  To be considered for a Large Project Reservation, investors must make a Qualified Real Property Investment (QRPI) greater than $350,000 to commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use buildings or facilities and meet other eligibility requirements. Applications are due no later than 3 p.m. on February 26, 2026.

“The Downtown Development Districts Rebate Program is a proven success story for Delaware. By opening this new funding round for large projects, we are once again inviting public-private partnerships to join us in revitalizing our downtowns, creating jobs, boosting local businesses, and building stable neighborhoods that are essential to the future of every Delaware resident,” said DSHA Director Matthew Heckles. “Every $1 invested in DDD state funds brings a private investment of almost $15. But this is not just about dollars. It is about investing directly into the fabric of our communities.”

The DDD is a competitive process. DSHA anticipates receiving applications in excess of the funding available for this round; therefore, DSHA cannot guarantee a rebate reservation will be awarded or the rebate reservation will be granted for the amount requested. Reservations will be awarded to the top-ranked applications based on criteria and priority as outlined in the program guidelines.

The General Assembly passed legislation in 2014 creating the DDD program. Since its inception, $39.2 million in DDD rebates have leveraged $574.7 million in private investment in the 12 designated districts across the state.

For more information on the DDD Rebate program and how to apply, visit https://www.destatehousing.com/build/ddd-program/.

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Delaware will get more rain and potentially miss the snow, again.

The forecast for Dec. 5 from the National Weather Service has changed with the First State mostly getting a wintery mix at worse.

Here’s a look at the latest Dec. 5 forecast.

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Will it snow in Delaware?

It depends where you live, but for the most part, the First State will be spared from snow.

New Castle County forecast: There’s a 30% chance of snow before 11 a.m. with highs reaching 31 degrees. There’s a 20% change of snow overnight into Dec. 6 as temperatures drop into the mid-20s. There will be little to no snow accumulation.

Kent County: There’s a chance of snow before 2 p.m. with the precipitation changing over to rain as highs reach 35 degrees. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation. If you’re heading out Friday night, you’ll want to be very careful. There’s a chance of snow before 10 p.m., changing over to a rain-snow mix from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. and then rain after 1 a.m. There’s a 30% chance of overnight precipitation. Lows will be in the upper 20s. There could be up to half-and-inch of snow.

Sussex County: There’s a chance of snow before 10 a.m. turning to rain and snow with highs around 37 degrees. Less than a half-an-inch of snow is expected to fall. In the overnight from Dec. 5 to Dec. 6, there is a 50% chance of rain before 1 a.m.

How cold will it get in Delaware after the snow?

While the weekend is looking sunny with typical temperatures for winter, with highs in the 40s and lows in the mid to upper 20s, First State residents will get a bit of a chill on Dec. 8.

Highs on Dec. 8 are only expected to hit 31 degrees and the overnight temperatures will drop into the teens in New Castle County to the low 20s in Sussex County.

What should be in your emergency kit for winter driving?

Whether it’s a bag or box in the back or trunk of your car, you should have a kit while driving in the winter. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which is incredibly familiar with heavy snow, your kit should include:

• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Extra stocking caps, warm socks, gloves/mittens
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Booster cables and windshield brush/scraper
• Drinking water and high-calorie, non-perishable food (trail mix, energy/protein bars)
• Sand or cat litter to sprinkle around your tires for traction in case you get stuck
• Cellphone adapter/charger

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Delaware dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 472 in the week ending November 29, down from 672 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 191,000 last week, down 27,000 claims from 218,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Nebraska saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 98.5%. Virgin Islands, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 58.3%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.