Business View Civil and Municipal | Volume 2, Issue 9

192 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 9 sufficient parking, while considering how we lay that all out to make sure everybody has a good high quality of life.” Working with a small town is a benefit for those who are trying to open a business or start the land development process. “We have staff that will work hand in hand with applicants to get them to the finish line,” says Haines. “Also making sure they’re aware of the state downtown development districts program, or helping businesses that qualify with their applications for state funding. Even things as simple as making sure there’s always a ribbon cutting, or cross-promoting a local promotion to our followers on social media, because we want to see the success.” The town works with landowners and landlords to understand their needs and create appropriate programs. Owner of its own public utility, Smyrna has considered offering utility grants to targeted industries as a start up incentive. Through the Redevelopment Authority, the community also offers a façade grant program, and other redevelopment subsidies for businesses. To ensure a skilled workforce, the town partners with the Kent Economic Partnership (KEP) and the Kent Chamber of Commerce to promote skills training opportunities. Vocational technical programs through the high schools and Delaware Technical Community College are also instrumental in job-specific skills training. Spanning 206 acres, Duck Creek Business Park is positioned to bring new industry and up to 4000 new jobs to the community. Haines acknowledges, “The park is set up so it could be a smaller facility, or it could be a larger one. It could be flex office space, which is in demand more than conventional office space, or fulfillment centers. We are conveniently close to Delaware Rte 1, and then quick and easy over to Baltimore, Maryland within an hour, and Philly or New York within two hours. Our positioning is really nice, right in central Delaware, on more