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Top 10 Reasons Delaware is a Great Place for Business

1. Tax Climate : Delaware has the Best Business Tax Climate in the Mid-Atlantic, as ranked by the Tax Foundation. The state has no tax on inventories, and no tax on process machinery or equipment, no sales tax, no personal property tax, no unitary tax, no machinery or equipment tax, and no state level real property tax in Delaware. ‐

2. Location and Logistics : Strategically located between New York and Washington, D.C., Delaware is at the center of the country’s largest consumer market. 40% of the U.S. population is within one day’s drive. Amazon Warehouse chose to build their new distribution center in Middletown, Delaware due to the city’s convenient location and access to major east coast distribution channels.

3. Access to Talent : Ranked second for the most PhDs per capita, Delaware's workforce is one of the most highly educated in the country. The State's technical colleges work closely with industry experts to develop curricula to equip students with the skills needed in Delaware's STEM-related fields.

4. Cost of Doing Business : The cost of doing business in Delaware is 9.3 percent below the national average, according to Forbes Magazine. Delaware’s favorable tax climate and low cost of living contribute to making the State an affordable place to do business. The numbers show it best: where you may spend $1,000 in Delaware, you will spend $1,375 in Seattle, $1,432 in Boston, $1,459 in San Diego, $1,497 in New York and $2,162 in San Francisco. 1

5. Corporate Preeminence : For more than 100 years, Delaware has been the location of choice for businesses seeking to incorporate in the U.S. More than one million business entities have made Delaware their corporate home, including more than 60 percent of all Fortune 500® companies.2

6. High Speed Connection : Delaware has the fastest Internet speed in the U.S. and the third fastest Internet speed in the world.3

7. Foreign Trade Zone : Delaware benefits from Alternative Site Framework, which allows individual businesses throughout the State to manufacture products using imported components with tariffs and duties reduced or eliminated, thereby reducing their costs until those products actually enter the U.S. markets.

8. Best to Invest : The State is ranked first in Foreign Direct Investment in the U.S. by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation due to the high percentage of the workforce that is employed by foreign companies.

9. Access to Decision Makers : Delaware has a close-knit community of professionals with easy access to top government and elected officials. It is not uncommon for Governor Jack Markell to attend grand opening ceremonies of new business establishments. Local government and professional organizations are actively involved in creating business growth. All the decision makers in the state can convene quickly to dissolve obstacles.

10. Governor Markell’s Concierge Team : Designed to help get international businesses up and running quickly and profitably, the team provides expertise in relocation, real estate

1 Sperling’s Best Places, Cost of Living2 Why Businesses Choose Delaware, http://corplaw.delaware.gov/eng/why_delaware.shtml 3 Chokshi, Niraj (2015, January 8) How state Internet speeds compare with countries around the world. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2015/01/08/how-state-internet-speeds-compare-with-countries-around-the-world/

web: global.delaware.govemail: global@delaware.govtwitter: @DelawareGlobal

and site selection, renovation and construction, accounting and business support. The team is ready to help you every step of the way!

Core Industry Sectors of StrengthBio-ScienceInformation TechnologyChemical ManufacturingLogistics and DistributionFinance and InsuranceCorporate and Legal ServicesAgribusiness DefenseEnergy and Clean Tech

Select Tax Incentives

1. Delaware Strategic Fund : Low-interest loans and grants awarded to businesses that demonstrate the potential to create employment opportunities for Delawareans.

2. Delaware Capital Access Program: Facilitates the lending process between banks and Delaware businesses, providing lower-risk access to capital.

3. New Jobs Creation Tax Credit: awarded to any corporate taxpayer that makes a qualified investment and that hires five or more qualified employees.

4. New Business Facility Tax Credit : Awarded to businesses that establish or expand facilities within targeted industries in Delaware.

5. Research and Development Tax Credit: Awarded to qualified Delaware businesses that incur research and development expenses.

6. Blue Collar Training Grant: Funding to help Delaware businesses provide training to upgrade and/or retain their employees and provide financial assistance to full time employees.

For a full list of Delaware’s capital resources, go to http://global.delaware.gov/invest/why-delaware/access-to-capital.shtml

Global Delaware is an initiative of the Delaware Department of State820 N. French Street, 4th Floor, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, +1 302 577 8464