Delaware General Assembly passes $71.9M in grants aid legislation

DELAWARE – The Delaware Senate sent a $71.9 million dollar grant package to Governor John Carney.

Officials say this will help bolster fire companies, ambulance services, senior centers, veterans organizations, and other community groups that provide invaluable services to Delawareans.

Officials say it was developed by the Joint Finance Committee and the annual Grants-In-Aid legislation allocates funding to dozens of nonprofits across the state that are engaged in everything from treatment for substance-use disorder and behavioral health counseling to arts programming, historic preservation, and emergency services.

Notable items in the FY 2024 Grants-In-Aid bill include:

• $22.7 million for organizations that provide benefits to Delawareans in the areas of health, substance-use disorder treatment, the arts, tourism and community services, a 10% increase over last year
• $16 million for ongoing paramedic operations in all three counties, plus an additional $1 million for each county to improve or enhance paramedic options
• $10 million in statewide support for fire and ambulance companies to ensure maintenance and operation of trucks, ambulances, and rescue boats, a 20% increase above last year
• $9.9 million for services and programs at senior centers
• $3.9 million for the county seats Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown
• $3.2 million in $50,000 allocations to each fire company and public service ambulance company
• $608,000 for veterans organizations in all three counties, a 20% increase over last year