Officials give an update on downtown district development in Dover

An economic summit was held Tuesday in Kent County  that focused on downtown development.  The group in charge of Dover’s progress gave an update  after Delaware governor Jack Markell gave them a downtown development district grant earlier this year. The grant allows current and future businesses in Dover  to receive incentives  to renovate the buildings they buy, own, or want to expand on.

Karen Horton, the Principal Planner of the Delaware Housing Authority says, “They are getting off the fence to find those parcels to find those building and they are starting to put business plans together on how hey can renovate. They are starting to think what kind of business they can bring to that building.”

Officials say there has been a significant interest by locals especially after the spending threshold for small businesses to renovate was lowered from $25,000 to $15,000. One business owner in Downtown Delaware is taking a advantage of these incentives and is planning renovations in his business.

Steven Pate,  the owner of Emmanuel’s religious gifts and books, “New heating new air conditioning probably some electrical upgrades different things here and there…I think it’s great for Dover, I just want other people to jump on.”

     William Neaton, the Executive Director of the Dover Economic Development says,  “he has seen a majority of the change is in Dover’s big businesses as well.” He told 47 ABC most of the empty big box store buildings  will be filed by early 2016.

“We have support available from the downtown partnership – we have support available from the state – we have support available from the county. I mean it is absolutely the right time. I mean it is absolutely  the right time,” says Neaton