EDITORIAL: This year’s uncertainty could bring opportunity in the new year

December 19, 2024 |By Katie Tabeling

Christman — With the holidays upon us, Delaware Business Times editor Katie Tabeling wishes all a prosperous new year. | PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASHED

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If there’s one word I would use to describe 2024, it would be uncertain. Of course, that’s probably because of the turmoil I had faced with my family, but it’s hard to think of another word to capture the roller coaster we as Delawareans faced. Around the world, we’ve entered another year of the Ukrainian-Russian war that has killed an estimated 60,000 people in the last three years. The Israel-Hamas conflict intensified, with now tens of thousands Palestinians and Israelis dead. Protests erupted across the United States, even making a rare appearance in Delaware’s General Assembly this year. The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore horrifically collapsed after a large shipping vessel collided with it, severing a major mode of transportation for commuters and sending shockwaves in the international trade industry. Extreme weather events continue across America, with the most notable including more than 240 tornado touchdowns across the Midwest. With the hottest summers seen, a late heatwave in August may have damaged some of our most profitable crops like soybeans. Of course, the biggest story of the year was the 2024 election and even then, it seemed the nation continued to trend on uncertain grounds. President Joe Biden dropped out after months of reports of his struggles to recall things, throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. And Former President Trump, after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision that solidified his immunity from prosecution for official acts that rely on core constitutional powers while in office, has once again won the election and will return to the White House. In Delaware, the uncertainty right now is also revolving around powerful offices. After a hotly contested Governor's Race that saw New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer come out on top, he promised a new day for the First State where he would govern based on principle, not personalities. His transition team has already launched committee hearings to solicit ideas and suggestions across business leaders, and at least three cabinet members have been announced. Delaware will also be sending U.S. Sen. Chris Coons to Capitol Hill, this time taking U.S. Sen.-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester with him to the upper chamber. U.S. Rep.-elect Sarah McBride will also be joining them, and vowing to work for all of Delaware and work to move beyond partisan politics. New Castle County Executive-elect Marcus Henry will soon be tested with leading the most populous county in the state, and forging connections with his predecessor Meyer and the upcoming Mayor-elect John Carney in Wilmington. Big waves have been made with these three elections, as shaping up their administrations will be the first major task as many high-ranking officials are moving to new jobs or stepping down. Whoever they tap next will have major influence on matters that impact thousands in the city and the county, and millions across the state. In times of uncertainty, we can shy away from it in fear or rise to meet it. In Delaware, the changing tide will certainly bring excitement for the first months ahead. There’s plenty more to look forward to and see how exactly these leaders of our state will also meet the challenge. Delaware has big ambitious plans for expanding its Port of Wilmington, with Carney planning to commit $215 million to do so. New Castle County plans to continue its ambitious plans to help the homeless, first realized with the Hope Center and now backed with $11 million in treasury funds to provide case management and shelter to those in need. Incyte has secured $14 million in state tax-payer backed funds to renovate two buildings that loom over Rodney Square as its new operations center, which will bring scores of people back to Wilmington again - perhaps needed now that the Biden-Harris headquarters have officially wound down operations. REACH Riverside continues to forge on with the Imani village, breaking ground on rental homes to help breathe life in the Northeast Boulevard that used to be lined with partly-boarded houses. The Kingswood Community Center is also set to double its size with a new facility, including its Early Learning Program that has consistently seen strong Kindergarten readiness from its pre-schoolers. And finally, the Community Education Building and the Longwood Foundation will likely continue to lobby heavily to turn the last Bracebridge building into a higher education complex that could draw hundreds more to the city to advance their education and earn degrees to higher-paying jobs. Change is hard, take it from me from the year I’ve had. But don’t lose sight of what excitement and hope the future may have in store for us as Delawareans - and all these projects were just in northern Delaware. There are, again, more blessings than we initially see. I hope you have a wonderful New Year.