Pink Electrical Services in Clayton is a recent winner of an EDGE grant for small businesses. (Courtesy of Kathy Collison)

EDGE grants give Del. entrepreneurs money – and advice

Ken MammarellaBusiness, Government, Headlines

  When businesses run by Kathy Collison and Donny Legans won EDGE grants from the Delaware Division of Small Business, they got more than a lot of money. They got a lot of good advice. “The biggest takeaway is that the application process forces you as a new business owner to think through a lot of things that you didn’t …

Clay Banks, small business

State Division of Small Business highlights support programs

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

With the Delaware House and Senate declaring May Small Business Month, the state agency focused on highlighting ways it can help. According to annual reports by the Division of Small Business, which was established in 2018, there were then 24,782 small businesses in the state. Small businesses are defined as a company with less than 100 employees. That increased to …

The latest small businesses to win Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion grants. (Delaware Division of Small Business)

Delaware gives big grants to 10 small businesses

Ken MammarellaBusiness, Government, Headlines

Ten small businesses in Delaware have been awarded grants in the sixth round of the Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion competition. Since the state government launched EDGE in 2019, $4.2 million has been awarded to 68 promising small businesses. In this round, more than 120 businesses applied for grants. Businesses that are less than 5 years old and employ no more …

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., shows a photo of the Division Street building that will be constructed to house the Center for Urban Revitalization and Entrepreneurship as well as NCALL.

DSU to use $1 million grant for urban revitalization center

Jarek RutzBusiness, Delaware Live, Education, Headlines

Delaware State University will use $1 million in federal funds to build an urban revitalization center. The money will come through a federal grant, announced Tuesday on campus by U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. The Center for Urban Revitalization and Entrepreneurship will be located at 225 W. Division Street in downtown Dover, one block from the university’s Dover Campus. DSU …

Fast food 4

Darby ordinance would make Wilm employers pay for shift changes

Charles MegginsonBusiness, Headlines

Photo/Getty Images Business leaders are lining up in opposition to a proposed ordinance in Wilmington that would require service industry employers to provide two-weeks notice of work schedules and compensate employees when changes occur.  The measure, sponsored by Council Member Shané Darby, D-District 2, aims to provide more schedule stability for hourly workers at retail, hospitality and foodservice establishments with …

Red tape 1

Bill aims to reduce regulatory burden on small businesses

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A proposed bill in the House of Representatives would require state agencies to consider the burden new regulations would impose on businesses and take steps to minimize those impacts. Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, before adopting a new regulation, state agencies would be required to complete an economic impact statement. The statement would identify affected businesses, determine the cost of …

a large brick building with Delaware Legislative Hall in the background

Paid leave passes in Senate, heads to House

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Paid family and medical leave in Delaware moved one step closer to becoming a reality Tuesday after the Senate passed a bill to create the program along party lines. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington North, will now advance to the House of Representatives. The Healthy Delaware Families Act would create a statewide insurance program to provide up …

Minimum Wage 1

Del. minimum wage to increase Jan. 1 and not everyone is happy about it

Charles MegginsonBusiness, Government, Headlines

Delaware’s minimum wage will increase to $10.50 per hour Saturday. (Getty Images/Darren415) With Delaware’s minimum wage set to increase from $9.25 per hour to $10.50 per hour beginning Jan. 1, some are still sounding the alarm bell for the impacts such a move will have on small businesses — and consumers, too.  The adjustment is the first of four gradual …

a building with a grassy field

Kent considering $5M in grants for businesses hurt by pandemic

Charles MegginsonBusiness, Government, Headlines

Kent County Levy Court Kent County is eyeing a $5 million grant program for small businesses and hospitality companies affected by the pandemic.  The program would include $3 million in grants for businesses with less than 100 employees to pay for employee wages and other business expenses.  Companies would have to demonstrate some negative financial impact resulting from the pandemic …

a close up of a coin

Got $100 in coins? 4 Dunkin’ locations will give you $105 for them

Betsy PriceBusiness, Headlines

    A Dunkin’ franchisee who says he can’t get enough change from is bank will buy coins. Photo by Jeff Weese of Pexels   Hot coffee, donuts, breakfast sandwiches and free money. What do these things have in common?  All of them are being offered at four Wilmington-area Dunkin’ locations.  Before you start the car and drive off to …