Coolest Thing Made in DE

Issue 10.03

January 26, 2024

THIS WEEK IN DOVER

Today wraps up the last day of session for the General Assembly before Joint Finance Committee hearings begin next week. The General Assembly will return to session on Tuesday, March 5, which is the date of the Governor’s State of the State address. The Governor also delivered his FY25 recommended budget address today in Dover. Read more >

Download a copy of the budget presentation >

Watch the address >

WHAT IS THE COOLEST THING MADE IN DELAWARE?

In collaboration with our affiliate the Delaware Manufacturing Association, we are seeking to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Delaware!

Nominations will be accepted until February 21. After the popular vote round ends, the top 16 products—one per company—will proceed to compete in the bracket-style contest, ultimately culminating in one champion. The 2024 Coolest Thing Made in Delaware will be revealed at the Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference on March 28. Nominate a product now >

Learn more about the competition >

Watch the promotional video >

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE

POLICY LEADERSHIP IN 2024

By Jay Timmons

Manufacturers and business organizations should be concerned that 2024 will be anything but “business as usual.” Election years are often dominated by noise and political theater that can make it harder to keep attention on sensible policy. There are significant proposed policy challenges looming—some of which emerged in 2023 and have not yet been squared away.

Although politics may get messier as election season heats up, manufacturers can use this as an opportunity to get candidates to take stands on the record as champions for the policies that will help us create jobs, grow the economy, and improve the quality of life. Read more >

ADDITIONAL READING

THE COST OF FEDERAL REGULATION TO THE U.S. ECONOMY, MANUFACTURING, AND SMALL BUSINESS

The National Association of Manufacturers has issued a new study that shows the macroeconomic impact of federal regulations. The total cost of federal regulations in 2022 is an estimated $3.079 trillion (in 2023 dollars), an amount equal to 12% of U.S. GDP and larger than the manufacturing sector’s entire economic output. Read more >

MADE LOCALLY, UTILIZED GLOBALLY

By John Gooden & Rustyn Stoops

Exciting things are happening within the manufacturing sector in Delaware and last year was a busy one for the Delaware Manufacturing Association (DMA), an affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber and National Association of Manufacturers. The DMA strives to enhance the competitiveness of Delaware manufacturers; serves as manufacturers’ advocate at the state and local government level; advises the State Chamber on topics that specifically impact manufacturers such as government regulation, trade, and tax policy; and sponsors events focused on manufacturer’s needs. Read more >

FAST FACTS ABOUT DELAWARE'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR:

$5.6 BILLION

total economic output

28,000

people employed

$83,882

average national salary

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

When two large automakers left Delaware for good, many thought manufacturing in our state was kaput. Some people still hold that belief, but nothing could be further from the truth. While the manufacturing industry accounts for a small percentage of our business community, it is a very healthy and growing sector of our states’ economy. Today’s manufacturing jobs are in high demand, and oftentimes require skills like team building, familiarity with technology, and more. Read more >

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