Issue 10.09

March 8, 2024

THIS WEEK IN DOVER

The General Assembly returned to session this week from the Joint Finance Committee break. The week kicked off with Governor Carney delivering the State of the State Address on Tuesday. Some topics he touched on included strengthening the economy, protecting the environment, and responsibly managing the state budget. You can learn more and watch the full address here. In addition, several bills were introduced recently that the State Chamber is engaged with. Read more >

Coolest Thing Made in Delaware:

Top 16 Voting Now Open!

Voting is now open! After over 8,500 votes, the competition has been narrowed down to only 16 products. But only one can be crowned the first Coolest Thing Made in Delaware. Who will take home the trophy?

Support Delaware's vibrant manufacturing sector and cast your vote for your favorite products once a day until March 13. Cast your vote >

SHIFTING GEARS

GLOBAL TRENDS AND LOCAL STRATEGIES FOR A THRIVING MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Join us for our Manufacturing and Policy Conference on March 28! At the conference, we will hear from keynote speaker Ryotaro Tashiro, outreach economist & advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, who will explore how demographic changes overseas, the rise of artificial intelligence, and persistent supply chain disruptions are affecting the economics of the manufacturing sector. Plus, the winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Delaware contest will be crowned at the event! Register >

Message From Our Chair

People are the key ingredient to an organization’s success. However, in the last several years, employers have struggled to hire and retain qualified employees.

The outlook for the next decade isn’t promising, given that the Baby Boomer generation, the largest segment of the US population, is set to reach full retirement age by 2030. How will employers address this impending labor shortage?

In the upcoming years, workforce development will play a pivotal role in every organization’s employment initiatives. As organizations compete to hire a limited workforce, those investing in their employees will retain their team members.

ENGAGE YOUR WORKFORCE

HOW CAREER PATHING AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING

CAN BENEFIT YOUR EMPLOYEES

By Bonnie Moynch

Gone are the days of the typical employee career path. It used to be all about climbing the corporate ladder, which had specific rungs and a clearly defined path. Now, more people are working from home and growth options don’t seem as visible.

Also, some employees just aren’t interested in learning something new to climb the ladder. This can lead to complacency not just with employees, but within your company. Defining career paths as well as instituting a continuous learning culture is key to keeping your company competitive. Read more >

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

In Delaware, the agriculture and food processing sectors stand as the number one economic force in our state, and yet may be the least appreciated by everyone who has “urbanized.” According to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, "Corn is the top crop, watermelons are the leading fruit crop and broilers [chicken] are the most valuable agricultural product. Other important Delaware agricultural products include wheat, barley, apples, peaches, grapes, peas, and dairy." The state boasts 259 food and agriculture establishments and an estimated 11,892 employed individuals within the industry. Read more >

Coolest Thing Made in Delaware:

Top 16 Voting Now Open!

SHIFTING GEARS

Message From Our Chair

In Case You Missed It