The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC), city of Dover, and community development partners gathered at Rail Haus in Dover, on Thursday, Dec. 12, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Downtown Development District (DDD) Rebate Program and the city of Dover’s successful designation renewal.

The DDD program, created via Senate 191, was passed by the 147th General Assembly in 2014. The goal of the program was to spur private capital investment in commercial business districts and other neighborhoods; stimulate job growth and improve the commercial vitality of our cities and towns and help build a stable community of long-term residents in our downtowns and other neighborhoods.

“The Downtown Development Districts Act has spurred investments and renovations in communities across the First State over the past 10 years,” said Governor John Carney. “I’m proud of how this program has grown, and the impact it has had on Delaware’s cities, towns and residents.”

As one of the first municipalities to receive DDD designation in 2015, the city of Dover has leveraged the program to transform 224 acres of its downtown areas into the premier destination for living, working and outdoor recreation.

Completed projects have produced over 76 new rental residential units, 53 single-family homes for homeownership programs and five retail businesses. These projects were funded with over $18.8 million in private investment, resulting in $2 million in DDD rebates to qualified investors. Following a thorough review by DSHA and OSPC, the City’s DDD designation has been renewed for an additional five years.

“Our revitalization journey has been strengthened by the collaborative work of the Downtown Dover Partnership, NeighborGood Partners (NCALL), Habitat for Humanity, and, of course, our local legislatures and federal representatives,” said Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen. “The implementation of the Dover 2030 Mosaic Vision will not only reinforce the heart of our city but also bring lasting benefits to every neighborhood in Dover.”

Rail Haus was selected for this event because it is a prime example of successful revitalization within the Downtown Development District. The establishment serves as a vibrant social hub and embodies the DDD program’s positive impact on local businesses. Rail Haus received a DDD rebate of $311,601 this year.

The program is simple. Qualified investors — including small business owners, developers and homeowners — with eligible planned or completed property investments in one of the 12 districts receive a 20 percent rebate on exterior, interior and structural improvements.

For example, an investor making $45,000 worth of qualifying investments in a district would be entitled to a DDD grant of up to $4,000. Property investments can include new construction, renovation, adaptive reuse of vacant buildings and preserving significant historical structures.

Local city and town managers in the 12 districts also receive training from DDD partners like DSHA, OSPC and the Division of Small Business, as well as online resources, marketing material and coaching to support their ongoing revitalization efforts.

The 12 DDD Districts are Dover, Wilmington, Seaford, Georgetown, Harrington, Laurel, Milford, Smyrna, city of New Castle, Clayton, Delaware City and Middletown. DSHA, OSPC and partners will host similar celebrations in each city in the coming weeks.

“Ten years of the Downtown Development District program has proven that strategic investment in our communities can yield transformative results through collective efforts to build thriving communities. We’re excited to see how the renewed designation for the city of Dover will continue to foster innovation, attract new residents and enhance the quality of life,” said Cynthia Karnai, director of DSHA.

Funding for the DDD Rebate Program is limited. Large project reservation applications, which are projects that cost more than $350,000, are due to DSHA by 4 p.m. on Feb. 26. Small project reservation applications, which cost between $25,000 and $350,000, are accepted on a rolling basis, subject to funding availability.

For more information on the DDD Rebate program, visit www.destatehousing.com/build/ddd-program/.