Mr. Wik stated that DEDO has done several things to stimulate new business and to retain existing businesses. The Financial Center Development Act was very beneficial to the banking industry. Delaware's manufacturing base was strengthened by the creation of a task force and by targeting specific industries. In 1999, DEDO supported the development of an Economic Development Strategy for Kent County which defined the advantages of doing business in Delaware and which also targeted specific industries. However, some of these advantages have fallen by the wayside.
Life sciences are a national trend.
Delaware has supported the establishment of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. DEDO is working with the agribusiness industry for waste solutions for poultry and with AstraZeneca and DuPont for pharmaceutical advancements. He stated that under the high tech area, Delaware has some unique things. There are the Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, the technology parks and the incubators. Mr. Wik stated that Information Technology started in 1998.