The Philadelphia Inquirer | by Joseph N. DiStefano Delaware officials approved plans Monday to aid Amazon’s largest-ever “fulfillment center” on the site of a demolished General Motors plant west of Wilmington. The state Council on Development Finance unanimously approved $4.5 million in taxpayer subsidies for the 5½-story warehouse over objections from a few state legislators, plus union workers and neighbors. Site owner Dermody Properties plans to spend $200 million building the warehouse, and Amazon would spend another $50 million outfitting the site with robotics and other equipment, pending final negotiations. […]
Delaware to give Amazon $4.5M for distribution center in Newport
WDEL | by Mark Fowser The Delaware Council on Development Finance approved a $4.5 million grant from the state’s Strategic Fund for Amazon Monday. Amazon is seeking to build a “next-generation” fulfillment center on the site of the former General Motors plant on Boxwood Road in Newport, officials for the company said on February 24, 2020. In exchange, Amazon said it will invest $250 million and bring 1,000 new jobs to the area. The company said it’s committed to hiring local workers. Holly Sullivan of Amazon told those in attendance […]
Amazon to receive $4.5 million in Delaware taxpayer money for new distribution center
Delaware Public Media | by Sophia Schmidt Amazon could receive millions in taxpayer dollars from the state after a vote by economic development officials Monday. The State Council on Development Finance voted unanimously Monday to approve a $4.5 million Strategic Fund Grant to Amazon for a new Delaware location. Amazon has proposed leasing the portion of the former General Moters Boxwood Road plant near Newport that Nevada-based developer Dermody Properties bought last year. Amazon plans to invest $50 million in equipment to outfit a 3.7 million square foot “next generation” […]
Few details available as Amazon seeks $4.5 million in taxpayer grants from Delaware
The News Journal | by Jeanne Kuang The online retailer giant Amazon is asking the state for $4.5 million “to establish its operations in Wilmington, Delaware.” The application for a state economic development grant comes as a Nevada-based distributions company that counts Amazon as a client plans a massive logistics warehouse at the former General Motors plant on Boxwood Road in Newport. The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing unnamed sources, reported Wednesday that the Boxwood Road site will be occupied by Amazon. “We have a policy of not commenting on our future […]
Kowalko: Stop Amazon’s corporate welfare
Delaware State News | Letter to the Editor | by Rep. John Kowalko Once again Delaware taxpayers can bear witness to the ugliness and venality of the so called “Delaware Way”. Amazon, the multi-billion dollar conglomerate owned by one of the richest individuals on the planet, Jeff Bezos, is asking for $4.5 million in Delaware taxpayer money to “establish its operations in Wilmington”. This is another “prime” example of wealthy corporations seeking “corporate welfare” from ordinary working families who struggle each day to afford basic essentials. Throughout my entire tenure […]
Amazon seeks aid from Delaware as plans progress for giant warehouse at former GM plant near Wilmington
The Philadelphia Inquirer | by Joseph N. DiStefano Amazon, the delivery, warehouse and Web services giant that made $1 billion a month in after-tax profits last year, is asking Delaware for a $4.5 million state taxpayer grant “to establish its operations in Wilmington.” The Delaware Economic Development Authority’s Council on Development Finance plans to review a brief proposal for the Delaware Strategic Fund money on Monday. Amazon already employs more than 2,500 full-timers — plus part-time and seasonal workers — at three Delaware sites: the company’s original East Coast warehouse […]
Corporation Service Co. may get state land deal with Wilmington building plans
The News Journal | by Jeanne Kuang Corporation Service Co.’s recent purchase of a Wilmington office building comes with a deal to buy from the state of Delaware a riverfront parking lot next door. The Delaware Department of Transportation plans to sell the lot at 110 S. French St. at the company’s request. The proposal was included in Gov. John Carney’s requested bond bill, introduced last month. The company bought the adjacent office building, which is next to the Wilmington train station, in January for an estimated $4.8 million. It […]
Why the Delaware Way could prevent livestreaming of General Assembly
The News Journal | by Sarah Gamard The so-called “Delaware Way,” the bipartisan tradition in which First State politicians make decisions and work out tensions behind closed doors, could get in the way of the latest efforts to increase transparency. In a state that’s been frequently criticized as having one of the least transparent governments in the country, a group of mostly Republican lawmakers is proposing that the General Assembly start recording its public meetings and posting them online for anyone to watch. It’s something that the vast majority of […]
Kowalko: Hey, UD president: Not so fast with the stats, bud
The News Journal | Guest Column | by Rep. John Kowalko It is a fact that the University of Delaware is a premier secondary educational institution in Delaware. It is also a fact that total student enrollment has been growing steadily while the percentage of Delaware resident students has declined significantly. Receiving over $120 million in taxpayer monies each year should allow UD to provide more access and outreach to in-state students. Instead Delaware taxpayers and families are presented with statistical data by President Assanis that is purported to be […]
Delaware legislators introduce legislation to stop surprise billing
Middletown Transcript | by Delaware News Desk Calling this a “good day for Delaware health care consumers,” Delaware Healthcare Association President and CEO Wayne Smith lauded Rep. David Bentz, D-Christiana, Senate President Pro Tempore David McBride, D-New Castle, Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, Sen. Nicole Poore, D-New Castle, and a bipartisan group of sponsors and cosponsors who introduced House Bill 286, legislation that would protect patients from “surprise” medical bills. The bill builds on existing Delaware law that protects patients from surprise bills arising from emergency department access of services and […]