By Mike Finney

WILMINGTON — The First State’s largest city is the nation’s No. 2 Best Business Climate for an under-200,000 population, while Delaware earned the No. 10 ranking for its “Tech Talent Pipeline,” according to Business Facilities’ 17th annual Rankings Report.

Other local top-10 placements in the publication include Wilmington’s ranking as part of the No. 7 Large Healthcare Hub in the United States and Delaware’s spots of No. 6 for Electricity from Solar and No. 9 for Offshore Wind Power.

Business Facilities highlights area economic-development and site-selection news from around the world and serves as a leading source for those sectors.

The publication’s annual Rankings Report analyzes and compiles listings of the locations that are leading in key benchmarks for sustainable growth in the 21st century. The 2021 report highlights state, metro and global leaders in 60 categories.

Wilmington was recognized for the environment, hospitality and support it offers businesses in areas such as physical infrastructure, taxes, regulatory issues and education.

The city has a population of about 70,600 and also was recognized for its status as an integral part of the regional health care hub that includes Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey.

Kurt Foreman, Delaware Prosperity Partnership president and CEO, said Delaware has natural advantages to pulling in businesses.

“At DPP, we are often asked what attracts businesses to consider Delaware,” Mr. Foreman said. “Rankings such as the Business Facilities rankings — as well as the Tax Foundation and KPMG Location Matters report that ranks Delaware as the third-most favorable tax climate in the U.S. — play a role in businesses in our core sectors considering Delaware.

“We hear from companies who do choose Delaware that our business-friendly culture plays an important role in their decision-making process.”

Delaware’s placement among the nation’s top 10 states for its Tech Talent Pipeline — a new category in the report — is no surprise, given that there are 70% more tech jobs across all sectors than any other job opportunities in the state.

From August 2019 to July 2020 alone, Delaware averaged more than 4,000 information technology job postings and 474 hires per month. Delaware has more than 17,000 jobs filled by IT professionals, and degrees in computer science and IT have risen by about 20% over the last two years.

Dover Realtor celebrates one-year anniversary

DOVER — The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting for Century 21 Realtor Jennifer Jacobo on Aug. 5 at 1665 S. Dupont Highway, as she celebrated her one-year anniversary as a Realtor and business owner.

Ms. Jacobo said that she believes in treating all her clients like family. Dedicated to providing personalized and professional service, she said she values each person who comes to her seeking to buy or sell a home and promises to hold their hands throughout the entire process.

For her, real estate is not just a job, it is a passion for helping families find homes and achieve their dream of homeownership, she added.

Ms. Jacobo said she is ready to connect with families who are looking for a place to call home. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 399-8661 or visit here.