Economic Development Committee Packet October 12 2021

Economic Development Committee Agenda October 12, 2021 – 4:00 PM This meeting will be held remotely via Zoom. Public participation information is as follows: Phone: +1 646 558 8656 US Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/98650449210?pwd=Y3I5by8xMjVUMzRDc2t2cXBXbnRlUT09 Event number: 986 5044 9210 Event password: DOVER Public comments are welcomed on any item and will be permitted at appropriate time. When possible, please notify the Mayor's Office (302-760-4920 or email mayorsoffice@dover.de.us) should you wish to be recognized. 1. Welcome 2. Adoption of Agenda 3. Adoption of Minutes 4. Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce- Ayanna Khan 5. Dave Hugg- Director of Planning and Inspections Update 6. Mayor's Announcements 7. Next Meeting Date: November 9, 2021 8. Adjournment

Economic Development Committee Minutes September 14, 2021- 4:00 p.m. The Economic Development Committee Meeting was held by video conference on September 14 at 4:00 p.m. with Mayor Robin R. Christiansen presiding. Committee Members present via video or telephone were Dave Hugg Director of Planning and Inspections, Councilman Andre Boggerty, Councilman Fred Neil, Diane Laird, Interim City Manager Matt Harline were present. Kim Adams and Clayton E. Hammond II were not present. Guests present Dr. Stacy Downing and Dr. Terrell Holmes from Delaware State University. Public Present Councilman David Anderson, Gregory Moore, Shannon Heal, , Pastor Grimes, and Judy Diogo. WELCOME At 4:00 pm Mayor Robin R. Christiansen called the Economic Development Meeting to order. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mayor Christiansen called for a motion to adopt the Agenda. Councilman Fred Neil moved for adoption of agenda, seconded by Diane Laird, unanimously carried. (Kim Adams and Clayton E. Hammond II absent). ADOPTION OF MINUTES Mayor Christiansen called for a motion to adopt June 8, 2021 minutes. Dave Hugg moved for adoption of minutes, seconded by Diane Laird, unanimously carried. (Kim Adams and Clayton E. Hammond II absent). DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY – DR. STACY DOWNING DSU DOWNTOWN CAMPUS UPDATE Dr. Downing states Staff have moved down to campus in mid-July 2021, a lot of renovation and branding have occurred. Secondly, wanted activity for the academic year, Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences will be housed at this location. 70 classes/ 200 students living on campus is occurring this semester and the goal is to have the entire college for fall of 2021. Branding is intentional to preserve legacy of Wesley. Goal is to do a Wesley Legacy Hall and 147-year history. As news is spreading have had outreach from community goal is to use resources from community and provide resources to the community.

Economic Development Meeting of September 14, 2021 PAGE 2 Dr. Terrel Holmes extremely excited and proud of what is happening, the opportunity to serve Dover and the State of Delaware better and further. Group that is on campus is doing Covid screening and testing on Campus. Van on the Governors St once a week for Covid screening, testing, and vaccination free of charge. We welcome our community to walk around campus to see the branding they have done. Desire to keep existing partnerships like hosting Charleston School. The goal is to contribute and immerse ourselves in the community. Looking at how to do that with religious leaders in the community and local business owners. Councilman Fred Neil asks how many of the Wesley Students stayed and transferred to Delaware State University? Dr. Downing states 500 students from undergraduate, online, and graduate they are called Wesley Legacy Students. Councilman Fred Neil, in terms of course work and credits does that transfer to DSU program? Dr. Downing, yes we insured their transition would be seamless as possible. DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY – DR. CHERESE WINSTEAD AND DR. MICHAEL CASSON Dr. Winstead and Dr. Casson were not present Committee moved to next Agenda item. CITY OF DOVER PLANNING UPDATE GIVEN BY DAVE HUGG Dave Hugg, anxious for Dr. Winstead to reestablish a relationship with Delaware State University and its Agriculture program. The city has experiences issues with food sufficiency and food deserts. Many residents do not have access to fresh food supplies, which has been brought up Comprehensive Planning and Kent Economic Partnership. Continue concept of urban farming such as vertical farming and hydro culture. DSU has experience and expertise in these areas. We are intrigued by work in Wilmington with 2nd Chance Farm and urban agriculture facility. Property in the end of downtown as a possible location for a facility. Tonight, Council Committee of the Whole Legislative and Finance Committee will look text amendment to zoning ordinance. That will make meaningful changes to manufacturing zoning district for example, raise height limitations and to eliminate all manufactures must go through conditional use process, and technical changes to allow additional to be used accessory uses. Talking to number of prospects near Lafferty Lane and Horsepond Road area are flex manufacturing warehouse buildings. Also working with Kent Economic Partnership to bring interest to Dover. Moving forward with Residential projects to bring new housing to the City. Councilman David Anderson, a commercial realtor stopped him on the street and told him how excited he was to be working with the Office of Planning and is now recommending them to choose city. Dave Hugg said he had heard this and is delighted Councilman Anderson is hearing it. In the last couple of weeks received a few compliments on how supportive staff has been. Mayor Christiansen states that Dave and himself meet monthly with the local realtors so we can let them know what we see, and they let us know how we can improve. Also partnering with Judy Diogo from the Chamber of Commerce, Kent Economic Partnership Linda Parkowski and

Economic Development Meeting of September 14, 2021 PAGE 3 Shannon Heal it is one big effort to spotlight not only the City of Dover but also central Delaware. MAYORS ANNOUNCMENT Mayor Christiansen asks Diane Laird for a brief update. Diane Laird, it is still hard for to get people downtown shopping. First Friday in two weeks is Paint Dover, artists will be coming to town to be painting Lockerman St., the Green and everyone in-between. Black Swamp Artisanal Market invite you all to September 24th at Noon. Rebel Cove is surfing the shopper’s ups and downs and working hard to stay afloat. Providing a full-service restaurant. is new for them and proving difficult during Covid times. Working with DSU representatives incorporating them. Master Plan Review Panel met last Friday and short listed three vendors to provide a Master Plan for Dover. Shannon Heal- Kent Economic Partnership – 17 projects in early stage 2 in serious and 3 middle keeping up with a lot of inquiries. Recently met with East West Freight Study group will be able to rap up in the next couple weeks. Recently had Kent County Business Tour were able to see companies that moved into Dover area and available industrial sites. Toured USA fulfillment, old Ricol site, Garrison Oak, Civil Air Terminal, Shore Industries, and Delmarva Corrugated. We were able to see what these companies needed and how they can address workforce issues. Councilman Anderson asks if Shannon has any tentative dates on East West study and the corridor connector to route 1 with industrial parks. Shannon Heal state this month for initial workshop and another one for the next month around October. The Joint Use Agreement we are hoping it will be signed by the end of this year. Judy Diogo Executive Director of Delaware Chamber of Commerce currently working on two different programs for Kent County Levy Court regarding ARPA funding; small business grant program and a hospitality grant program. Hoping to get in front of Commissioner in October to ask these two programs be expedited. On September 23 Amazing Chase will be starting at 5:00pm. December 3 will be the Capital Holiday Celebration. State of the Base Briefing will be November 22 at Dover Airforce Base to register go to Delaware Chamber of Commerce Calendar due to security reasons you must register early. Also, partnered with Leadership Delaware program to network and encourage County participants to continue education in the State program. Mayor Christiansen asks everyone to join him on September 18 at 10am at Dover Park for renaming of the park to LT Blackshear. Fun event October 2 the Mayor’s Silver Lake Regatta celebrating Silver Lake and will have a cardboard boat contest for design and sea worthiness. The title this year is Whatever Floats Your Boat. Job Fair will be held September 16 at the Blue Hen Corporate Center. NEXT MEETING DATE October 12, 2021 AT 4:00 PM

Economic Development Meeting of September 14, 2021 PAGE 4 ADJOURNMANT Mayor Robin R. Christiansen called for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Fred Neil and moved for adjournment, seconded by Diane Laird, unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned 4:40PM.