Del. minimum wage set to increase, experts weigh in small business impact

DELAWARE. – Delaware’s minimum wage is set to increase to $15 an hour on January 1.

But while things may be looking up for paychecks across the First State, Georgetown’s Chamber of Commerce President, Linda Price said minimum wage isn’t the only issue lawmakers should have addressed.

“Even though somebody has a little bit more in their paycheck, they’re going to pay more. They haven’t yet leveled the rental rates at this point,” Price said.

Executive Director of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, Lauren Weaver said the mandate will affect various industries differently, adding in part, “…Many businesses, such as retailers, have been forced to pay more than the market rate due to the workforce shortages.”

She added, “…From a chamber (nonprofit) position, we are requiring more from the employees we hire for the hours worked and decreasing our hours of operation to maintain personnel costs.”

Price also warned the mandated increase could make it harder for smaller businesses to stay open.

“For a small business owner that has worked and scraped and did what they could over the years to make them a successful small business, no, they wouldn’t really want government to be involved,” Price said.