Page 20 - Innovation Delaware 2018

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County Executive Matt Meyer and Director of Economic Development, Tamarra Morris.
The
Forget what you “knew” about New Castle County
development, construction, and property management.
One of the County Executive’s
fresh ideas is an innovative approach to reform the Department of Land Use’s development review process. Developers want predictability when it comes to the planning process. For this reason, the county’s new “Fast Track” initiative streamlines the process for job- creating development projects
by employing electronic plan review and improving coordination between land use planners and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). As a result, the county now has an unprecedented ability to push important projects forward and bring much needed employment opportunities to county residents. Fast Track completed the planning process for a Major Land Development Plan for the new Incyte headquarters in a record- breaking 225 days.
New Castle County is also
working to build a culture of collaboration with other economic development agencies like the City of Wilmington Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership and the State of Delaware Division of Small Business, Development and Tourism. “The goal: to develop an uncomplicated system that prioritizes small business support
“New” in New Castle
In 2016, New Castle County
residents elected an entrepreneur to the post of County Executive. Matt Meyer, a corporate attorney by training, had launched two successful businesses, served
County
as an American diplomat in Iraq on an economic development mission and worked as an economic development advisor to former Delaware Governor Jack Markell before running for office. The new County Executive brings a fresh perspective to county government and business expansion.
So, what’s ‘new’ in New Castle
County? “The County Executive was purposeful in bringing in
a diverse leadership team of smart, ethical and innovative professionals who share his commitment to creative ideas, best practices, and tackling issues that have plagued the county for years” said Tamarra Morris, Director of Economic Development.
Morris joined county
government with more than 15 years of experience in the private sector. Most recently, she was responsible for new business development, sales, and marketing for a global firm specializing in real estate