According to the 2015 Delaware Manufacturers Register, an industrial database and directory published by Manufacturers’ News, Inc., Delaware lost 307 manufacturing jobs, or nearly 1%, from July 2013 to July 2014, in contrast to the 1.4% national average gain reported by the Labor Department for the same time period.
null
Sen. Lavelle
The publication reports Delaware is now home to 686 manufacturers employing 37,708 workers, blaming the decline on the state’s high business costs and global competition.
“This is yet another indicator, one of many, that shows Delaware continues to underperform, even in a weak overall US economy,” said Senate Republican Whip Greg Lavelle (Sharpley).
Manufacturers’ News, Inc. reports Delaware industrial employment has fallen 13% since June 2009, while government statistics reveal manufacturing employment in the U.S. climbed 3.4% during the same time period.
“Clearly, what the governor and Democrats have been doing isn’t working,” Sen. Lavelle said. “To make Delaware more attractive to manufacturers, we need to embrace practical solutions that are working in other states.
“One such idea Republican lawmakers have pushed is creating manufacturing ‘right-to-work’ zones in targeted areas of the state, providing an instant incentive for businesses to relocate to Delaware. Combined with other incentives – such as directed tax credits, reduced energy costs, and state assistance in navigating bureaucratic hurdles – we believe we can bring quality jobs to the First State.”
According to the database of Delaware manufacturers, the chemicals industry accounts for 30% of the state’s manufacturing employment, or 11,165 jobs, with employment steady over the year, while job losses were found in paper products, furniture, fabricated metals, and industrial machinery.
