Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
Results
50 percent match (up to $15,000) for architectural and engineering feasibility work for for-profit small business developers to explore capital investments.
The architectural and engineering feasibility grant helps enumerate construction costs for renovation or fit-out of property in Wilmington. The grant can help investors and businesses...
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Angel Investor Tax Credit provides a refundable tax credit for qualified investors in innovative, Delaware-based small businesses – connecting talented, high-tech entrepreneurs with new sources of capital.
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Brownfield Assistance Program offers matching grants to property owners and developers to encourage redevelopment of environmentally stressed sites.*
*Applications for this program must go before the Council on Development Finance.
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The Strategic Fund is used to make contractually-based job creation and job retention incentive offers to private businesses. The Fund’s incentive expenditures are recouped by the City’s General Fund in two or three years by the wage taxes generated form the new or retained jobs...
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What are brownfields?
Brownfields are any vacant, abandoned or underutilized real property the development or redevelopment of which is hindered by the reasonably held belief that the real property may be environmentally contaminated.
Why are brownfields important?
Delaware has more than 750...
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Delaware Capital Access Program helps lenders to provide financing to businesses deemed too risky for the traditional banking model due to minor collateral or credit issue
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Delaware Strategic Fund is the Division’s primary funding source to support business retention and expansion through grants and low-interest loans to projects that grow the state’s economy in a significant way.*
*Applications for this program must go before the Council on Development Finance.
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Career training courses at Delaware Tech CC are designed to enhance personal knowledge and skills as a pathway to being successful in the workplace. Open enrollment courses are available at your work site as well.
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Delaware Technical Innovation Program offers transition grants for companies that have completed Phase I and applied for Phase II of the federal Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer programs as they work to bring new products to market.
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The Delaware Workforce Development Board ensures the citizens of Delaware are provided with occupational training and employment service opportunities to help them achieve employment that sustains them and their families. They seek to communicate with business industry partners to provide qualified workers to meet their...
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About the ProgramResponsibilities of the Equal Opportunity/Contract Compliance Office (EO/CCO) are assumed by the City of Wilmington’s Small and Minority Business Enterprise Office (SMBEO) in the Office of Economic Development. The City of Wilmington has established laws and procedures to increase accessibility of contracting opportunities...
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Investors who make Qualified Real Property Investments (QRPI) to commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use buildings or facilities in designated areas may apply to Delaware State Housing Authority for a DDD Rebate of up to 20% of QRPI. The Downtown Development Districts Act was created to leverage...
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The Division of Small Business awards EDGE Grants through a competitive selection process. STEM-based companies can receive up to $100,000 for eligible expenses. Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses can get up to $50,000. The funds are provided as a $3 (state) to $1 (business) match. And...
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The City of Wilmington’s Office of Economic Development and the Grow America Fund (an affiliate of the National Development Council) have partnered to launch the Grow Wilmington Fund. Together, we are working to help small- and medium-sized companies grow their businesses in Wilmington. With longer loan...
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Background
The City of Wilmington’s Head Tax Exemption Program is codified in Section 5-102A of the City’s Code. The City’s Code calls for every person or business required to obtain a business license to also pay the sum of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per month...
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Job Corps centers are ranked monthly by the U.S. Department of Labor in several categories including job placement, high school diploma or equivalency attainment, certification attainment, and earnings. 125 centers are ranked on the Job Corps outcome measurement system report card.
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Wilmington’s Opportunity Zone creates a unique opportunity for those looking to invest in a growing metropolitan area while simultaneously receiving tax incentives. Investors can defer tax on any prior gains so long as the gain is reinvested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund. If the investor...
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Pursuant to City code Sec. 44-71, the Property Tax Abatement Program encourages investment in construction, redevelopment, renovation in multi-family, mixed-use, and commercial properties. This incentive encourages the construction of new facilities and the rehabilitation of existing facilities which generates new permitting income and new wage taxes, as well as,...
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The distinguishing characteristic of these public funds is that they are evergreen in the sense that the repaid principal and interest from loans made are re-issued to other loan recipients. In this way, the program funding “revolves” over time.
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State Small Business Credit Initiative Participation Loan help lenders to provide financing to businesses deemed too risky for the traditional banking model due to minor collateral or credit issues.
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Tax-Exempt Bond Financing allows the Division to act as the conduit issuer on bond for tax-exempt, non-profit organizations.
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Our office is available to assist in business, government, or development challenges a business or developer may encounter.
1/3rd traditional business development (retain and recruit)
Real estate development (purchase land and buildings, help other departments with construction projects)
Internal consulting work with other...
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True Access Capital is a not-for-profit, federally certified, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that supports small businesses and community development projects. As a CDFI, True Access Capital is required to provide at least 60% of its lending and technical assistance activity to underserved populations. True...
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EligibilityBusinesses within the City of WilmingtonPrincipal(s) has direct experience in the industry for at least two yearsGood Business PlanAdequate personal credit historyClearly defined and accessible target marketLoan SizeMaximum $75,000Minimum $5,000Loan RateDepends upon project, collateral and ability to repay. The initial rate is based off of...
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Wilmington University offers accredited industry-recognized certifications and professional licenses for academic credit. In addition, students may be able to earn academic credit for trainings completed at their workplace. Some of their training programs are in law enforcement, information technology, early childhood education, accounting, and writing...
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Workforce Training Grant is a matching program that funds specialized training for companies of up to $100,000 per project.
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