EDC Tours New Castle County Business Advantages
Published Apr 16, 2004
Sitting from left: Ron Walker, Nash Childs, Sherry Freebery, Thomas P. Gordon. Standing from left: Joe DiNunzio, Carmen Facciolo, Karen Venezky, Jeff Bross, Dale Ervin, Ron Morris
Few East Coast locations offer as much as New Castle County.
Businesses like it so much that Wilmington, the county seat, is called the “corporate capital.” Some 300,000 companies are incorporated in Delaware.
Residents like it, too. New Castle County is near New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C., yet it retains a friendly ambiance.
Despite its advantages, the county lacked a dedicated development effort until 2002, when the New Castle County Economic Development Council was launched.
The council is a partnership between the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and the New Castle County Executive’s office.
“It’s the first time a group of businesses and government have joined to promote New Castle County,” says Nash Childs, co-chairman of the council along with County Executive Thomas P. Gordon.
Each committee has two co-chairmen, one from the public and the other from the private sector. Occupations of council members are in fields ranging from construction to education.
“If someone is looking to move to Delaware, we can offer them collective knowledge to address any issues,” says Childs, vice president of Bancroft Construction Co. Gordon agrees. “This unique blending enhances responsible business growth, while highlighting the quality of life enjoyed in New Castle County by employees and employers alike.”
Those highlights have attracted such heavyweights as AstraZeneca, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. In 1999, when Astra, whose U.S. headquarters was in Wayne, Pa., and Zeneca, whose U.S. headquarters was in Wilmington, merged, the company waffled between the two locations before choosing Wilmington.
“We’re close to the interstate and the airport, which is important because our employees come from a wide geographical area,” says Arnie Caine, vice president of facilities, engineering and corporate services for AstraZeneca. Caine is also a member of the economic development council.
Although the county is considered part of the Philadelphia metro market, which boasts a 3.4 million workforce, it’s also close to mountains and beaches and offers a number of higher education choices.
“We’re the jewel in the crown,” says Dale Ervin, the council director.
Along with location, companies appreciate the low 8.7 percent tax rate on net income. There is no state or local general sales tax, and no personal property or inventory taxes. A dedicated business court, the Court of Chancery, has an international reputation.
With these attributes in mind, the council has teamed with the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce to spotlight the area. There’ve been featured in Forbes, Kiplinger’s and the New York Times. The council’s Web site, www.nccedc.com, offers demographics and links to information.
While recruiting new companies is important, the council’s primary mission is to support existing businesses.
“We’re continually working to make the county stronger,” Ervin says.
Story by Pam George
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