The Director shall have the following powers, duties, and functions:

(1) To supervise, direct and account for the administration and operation of the Division, its subdivisions, offices, functions and employees.

(2) To serve as Chairperson of the Delaware Economic Development Authority and to supervise the administration of the Authority and to perform all duties heretofore vested in the Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office and the Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs and Economic Development as shall be related to the Authority.

(3) To appoint and remove the staff of the Division in accordance with this chapter and such other limitations as may be imposed by law.

(4) To advise the Secretary and other officials of the state government on all matters of economic development and to consult with them on matters of economic development affecting the duties and responsibilities of their offices.

(5) To have access (or to designate staff members who shall have access) to information, reports and data which relate to economic development which are in the possession of departments, boards, commissions, agencies or instrumentalities of the State or in the possession of county, municipal or other local agencies and instrumentalities.

(6) To hold hearings on matters of general economic development or such other matters as may be required by law after notice thereof to interested parties.

(7) To attend and participate in meetings of federal, county or municipal economic development bodies, interstate agencies and other entities, whether public or private. The Director may cooperate with such instrumentalities in matters affecting the duties and responsibilities of the Division.

(8) To establish, consolidate or abolish such subdivisions within the Division or transfer or combine the powers, duties and functions of the subdivisions within the Division as the Director may deem necessary, and subject to the approval of the Secretary, provided that all powers, duties and functions required by law shall be provided for and maintained.

(9) To make and enter into any and all contracts, agreements or stipulations, to retain, employ and contract for the services of private and public consultants, professional, research and technical personnel, including the temporary exchange of personnel from all public or private entities, and to procure by contract consulting, research, professional, technical and other services, whenever they shall be deemed by the Director, subject to the approval of the Secretary, necessary or desirable in the performance of the functions of the Division and whenever funds shall be available for such purpose. Legal services shall be procured pursuant to Chapter 25 of this title.

(10) To delegate any of the Director’s powers, duties or functions to a member of the staff authorized by this subchapter, except the power to remove employees of the Division or to fix their compensation.

(11) To establish and promulgate such rules and regulations governing the administration and operation of the Division as may be deemed necessary by the Director and which are not inconsistent with the laws of this State.

(12) To occupy and/or maintain such facilities as may be required for the effective and efficient operation of the Division.

(13) To adopt an official seal or seals for the Division, subject to the approval of the Secretary.

(14) To exercise all other powers necessary and proper for the discharge of the Director’s duties and such other powers as may be delegated by the Secretary, not inconsistent with state law.

(15) [Repealed.]

(16) To develop a 5-year Comprehensive State Plan for Economic Development.

a. The Plan shall include all of the following:

1. Description of the Division’s vision, goals, objectives, and strategies.

2. Identification of business sectors, including those sectors which have potential growth in this State’s economy and global business image.

3. Strategies to encourage the creation and expansion of businesses in this State and the relocation of businesses to this State.

4. Potential partners for the implementation of the strategy required in paragraph (16)a.3. of this section, including federal and local governments, local and regional organizations for economic development growth, chambers of commerce, private businesses and investors, and nonprofit entities.

5. Strategies for talent development necessary to encourage economic development growth in this State, taking into consideration factors such as this State’s education and training opportunities and available workforce.

6. Strategies to engage women, veterans, and minorities in developing businesses.

7. Strategies to improve and develop tourism.

8. An analysis of current and projected economic indicators, which shall be completed through the Division’s coordination with the appropriate state agencies and shall include:

A. Unemployment rate.

B. Average annual wage.

C. Gross domestic product.

D. Number of jobs created.

E. Number of jobs retained.

9. An analysis of the return on investment produced through the Strategic Fund.

b. At least 2 months prior to submitting the Plan as required in this chapter, the Division shall hold a public meeting to allow public input regarding the Plan. The meeting shall be held in all 3 counties in this State. The Division may hold separate meetings in each county or hold 1 meeting and, through the use of technology, provide the public with access to attend and participate in the meeting simultaneously from each of the 3 counties.

c. The Plan shall be submitted every 5 years to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary, and, for public distribution, to the Director of the Division of Research of Legislative Council and the Director of Public Archives. The Division shall also publish the Plan on the Division’s public website. The initial Plan is due December 1, 2020.

63 Del. Laws, c. 189, § 2; 66 Del. Laws, c. 190, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 357, § 2; 80 Del. Laws, c. 93, § 2; 81 Del. Laws, c. 49, § 1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 374, § 4.