WILMINGTON, DE—After signing the state Fiscal Year 2015 budget that fully funded its new urban revitalization program, late last week Delaware Gov. Jack Markell released a draft application and booklet for the state's new Downtown Development District program.

The $7-million program is geared at revitalizing Delaware downtown areas hit hard by the recession. The first three districts are expected to be named by year's end. A final application is to be released by the end of this month.

Once downtown development districts are selected, projects within the districts qualify for grants of up to 20% of the construction costs. The grants are available for any type of project, including residential and mixed-use, according to the News Journal.

“The DDD program has tremendous potential to strengthen neighborhoods, to spur private investment in our downtowns, and to improve housing for persons of all incomes and backgrounds,” says Gov. Markell. “To realize that potential, it is important that cities, towns, and other stakeholders lend their insight and expertise as the program takes shape. I commend the Office of State Planning Coordination for giving stakeholders the opportunity to 'weigh in' on the application, and I encourage all interested parties to provide their comments to OSPC by July 25.”

The timeline for the designation of DDDs, including the deadline for cities, towns, and unincorporated areas to apply for district designation, are to be announced when the application is finalized, according to an announcement released by the governor's office. See story in the News Journal.