Network eyes next step

Invites public to conversation on economic development

By CHRISTINE NEFF

A lot of listening - that's what the Greater Newark Network has been doing over the last few months, and the group plans to continue that trend next week at a public meeting on economic development in the Newark area.The Network, which formed in May, pulls together representatives of business and academic communities, as well as government agencies and individuals interested in promoting economic growth here. The group hopes to foster the retention and expansion of employers in the greater Newark area and to establish Newark as a hub for high-tech industries. Read more...

If you would like to attend this event please email me at chadwickb@ncccc.com

New Study: "Accelerating Technology Transfer in Greater Philadelphia"

Commissioned by the CEO Council for Growth, this new Economy League study analyzes the gap between the region's robust technological research and the ability to commercialize these new discoveries as a catalyst to greater economic growth. The report makes targeted recommendations on the ways in which stakeholders in the private, public/non-profit, and academic sectors can contribute to accelerating technology transfer.

Read the full report.

Expanding companies get electric discount

Newark City Council OKs lower rate for industrial businesses.

Technology, manufacturing and research companies moving to or expanding their operations in the city may now be eligible for up to a 10 percent discount on their electric bills.

City Council on Monday unanimously passed a new "economic development" electric discount rate for industrial businesses making investments that stand to add more than $200,000 to Newark's assessed tax base. Read more..

Kudos to Newark City Council for enacting this measure and to the Greater Newark Network for the role they played advocating for it.

Promoting Entrepreneurship in Buffalo

Big ideas for entrepreneurship in Buffalo. A proposal has been made to establish an investment pool of at least $5 million allocated annually, which would be used to make grants up to $250,000.

According to the article: "The grants would be awarded on a competitive basis to entrepreneurs who have graduated from college in the past 10 years, set up shop in Erie or Niagara counties and whose business would be involved in one of the six clusters economic planners have deemed to have the best potential for the region."Read more.

Are we as focused as we should be here in Delaware on promoting entrepreneurship?