Milford chronicle., 1953-10-02
Industrial GrOWth
Prospects In State
Look Extremely Well
fcontInueo Irom flrst pagel


have reasonable tax rates in this
state which should attract indus
try. Furthermore, / am told that
we have a capable labor market,
which in many areas of the state
offers employers many advantages
not enjoyed in some of the larger
neighboring states.
Land utilization and pTeserva-
ton is important in this orderly eX-,
pansiOn of which we speak. We
must see to it that our streams,
watersheds and wooded areas are
fully protected. We cannot con-
tinue to take from the earth with
out replehishing. We must con-
form to some pattern and follow
some plan that will assure us that
our land is being used to the very
best advantage, whether it be for
new plants, for public buildings or
recreatiOnal purposes, Governor
BOggs pointed out
Colonel Paul A. hartman, COM
manding officer of the Dover Air
Force Base, informed the group
about the possibility of small in
dustryN being available for support
of the operation of the base. He
described the installation as being
a community within itself, having
for its use a police and fire de-
partment, a bus service and taxi
service. Later on there may even
be a railroad. The developments
will afford many forms of Occupa-
tion.
He next described the work for
the base that will be placed out on
cOntractural basis, including work
on autOmotive and aircraft equip
ment. He pointed out large pOr-
tiOn of the personnel would be re-
quired to reside within two or
three miles of the base and that
the other personnel would have
to live within a As minute ride
from their work. He indicated 1900
additional rental units for base per
sOnnel would be needed within a
year. He further indicated that if
it is found that there is d lack of
intent of private building to fur
nish these rental units. then the
federal government will have to
come in and erect them. But it was
much preferable, he said, that ii be
done with private capital.
Colonel hartman cited the pay
roll figures for the base at present
as being as follows: civilian per-
sOnnel, $4,000 per month; military
personnel, $4,000 per month and
touring personnel $4,000 per
month. He said the payrOlls esti-
mated for the base in full opera
tiOn were: civilian personnel,
$184,000 per month"; military per-
sonnel, $2,225,O00 per month; tour
ing personnel, 100000 per month.
He described the touring person
mel as being that military group
that is moving planes and supplies
to all parts of the world.
He pointed out that the fully ac-
tivated Air Base would be in need
of many things that small indus
tries can provide. And these bust
nesses would become a part of the
community paying taxes and be-
coming an important employment
factor.
Colonel c. B. Shaffer of the State
Development Department, review
ed recent surveys of sites and labor
supply in various areas for pros
pectiYe industry. He reported that
at present the department is re-
ceiving many diversified inquiries.
OF this number he classed 80 per-
cent as sound inquiries with whom
he expected to be working in the
near future.
Colonel Shaffer reported that
there is now available a large list
of excellent industrial sites. Dur
ing the past year number of new
concerns have located in the state,
he reported. These industries have
a total of 793 employees and their
annual payroll is $1727696. He
said that the buildings used by
these new Industries have a total
assessed valuation of $965,000
Howard +. Lynch, Jr., president
of the First National Bank of Do
yer and president of the Delaware
Bankers Association, reported on
capital available for industrial ex-
pansion in Delaware. He stated
that the banks generally would
study any applications along this
line that could be presented to them
from the viewpoint of an invest
ment.
The difficulty that the present
coming plans in New Castle County
is placing on industrial expansion
was discussed by Stanley A. Tenn
pie, of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road, who cited that in some rural
areas only a small acreage was be-
ing listed as available for indus
try.
Gerrish Gassaway, vice president
of the Delaware Chamber of Com
merce, reviewed the history of the
zoning system and some of the
plans under consideration for ad-