AGP Executive Report

Coastal Resilience: A nor’easter battered Delaware beaches, stripping sand and forcing repairs to the Indian River Inlet sand bypass as officials assess how much replenishment is still available. Environmental Monitoring: New testing raised alarms about microplastics across the Delaware River watershed, with researchers finding plastic pollution at every sampled site. Energy & Infrastructure: Eastern Shore Natural Gas filed with FERC for a ~$75M Delmarva pipeline expansion to add capacity for growing residential, commercial, and industrial demand. Local Development: Delaware named new Downtown Development Districts in Claymont, Newport, and Millsboro, unlocking incentives for private investment in housing and business. Insurance Relief: State Farm announced a $5B national auto dividend; Delaware’s Department of Insurance says about 256,000 eligible vehicles will receive an average ~$142 (about $36M total). Food & Agriculture: FDA closed its investigation into the massive Cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms de Mexico, while the broader system that missed it remains under scrutiny. Business & Jobs: Helen’s Sausage House shared progress toward opening its new Lewes location by March.

Data Centers & Local Control: Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Sen. John Curtis unveiled bills to force more transparency from large data centers, aiming to give communities clearer info on power, water, and environmental impacts. Energy Policy: Gov. Matt Meyer vetoed HB 393, a consumer-protection bill targeting third-party energy suppliers, arguing it could chill competition and strengthen Delmarva Power’s monopoly. Amazon & Community Commitments: Amazon says it’s stopping the use of NDAs in data-center deals with local officials and will invest $1B over five years in community college, workforce training, and energy-efficiency upgrades. Skilled Trades Shortfall: A new industry coalition warns Delaware is among states where demand for skilled workers outpaces supply, with training producing far fewer workers than needed. Solar Supply Chain: A Delaware-linked materials firm, ACI Materials, says it wants to bring silver solar paste production back to the U.S., citing reshoring momentum and competition from China. Insurance & Delaware Business: State Farm announced Delaware rate cuts and a national $5B dividend, while Wawanesa completed an acquisition and rebranded Everest Canada as WSI, expanding specialty insurance offerings. Legal/Chancery Watch: Delaware Court of Chancery activity continues with take-private and patent disputes involving Delaware-incorporated companies.

Statewide Energy & Climate Fight: Delaware is among states joining lawsuits challenging the Trump EPA’s repeal of power-plant emissions limits for coal and gas, with plaintiffs arguing the rollback will worsen health and climate impacts. Offshore Wind Funding Clash: New York and other AGs, including Delaware, sued to block federal payments tied to canceling offshore wind projects and redirecting money to fossil fuel plants. Drug Pricing Accountability: Delaware’s neighbors are pushing major settlements—AGs seek court approval of a $400M Sandoz deal over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and reduced competition, with Delaware-linked enforcement in the broader coalition. Delaware Courts & Business: A former SewerAI shareholder asked Delaware Chancery for fair value in a $342M acquisition; Liquidia also faces a Delaware ruling finding patent infringement tied to its lung-treatment drug. Data Center Transparency: Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester teamed with Sen. John Curtis on bills to force more reporting and community access to data-center impacts. Workforce Pipeline: A national skilled-trades report flags a 1.7M annual opening gap, naming Delaware among states where demand outpaces supply. Local Industry & Policy: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Delaware’s harm-reduction licensing framework, and the state launched a film tax credit aimed at boosting productions and jobs. Insurance: State Farm announced Delaware dividend payments and rate cuts totaling billions nationally.

Delaware Film & Entertainment: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a new Delaware Entertainment and Production Tax Credit, offering a 30% transferable credit for eligible projects spending $100,000+ in the state, with applications now open and retroactive to July 1—aimed at boosting local jobs and production activity. Critical Minerals & Recycling: M2i Global expanded its partnership with Regenerate Technology Global to bring worldwide battery recycling and data intelligence to the critical minerals supply chain, targeting lower emissions and higher material recovery. Delaware River Water Planning: The Delaware River Basin Commission released a screening report on surface water availability across six tributary watersheds, flagging where deeper study may be needed to support drought readiness for public supply, power generation, and agriculture. Construction & Scheduling: A construction industry roundup highlights a split in project schedule management—more collaborative approaches are growing, but some teams are resisting shared schedule data due to claim risk. Consumer Protection & Health Costs: Michigan AG Dana Nessel urged consumers to file for compensation tied to multistate generic drug price-fixing settlements, while broader reporting focuses on how hospitals are trying to reduce medical debt through easier charity-care eligibility. Real Estate Fraud: EquityProtect’s latest scorecard says deed theft laws are spreading—12 states now have dedicated statutes—while many protections still kick in only after fraud hits.

Film & Entertainment Incentives: Delaware’s new Film and Entertainment Tax Credit Program is now law, offering a 30% transferable credit for eligible productions spending $100,000+ in the state, with a modernized Motion Picture and Television Development Commission aimed at bringing more crews, jobs, and local business activity. Energy & Power: TurningPoint Energy celebrated energization of its third Delaware community solar project in Georgetown, adding 2.1 MWac and serving 560 residential customers, including 121 low-income households. Water & Environment: The Delaware River Basin Commission released a screening report on surface water availability in key tributaries, flagging where deeper study may be needed to support drought readiness. Telecom Transition: The FCC is taking extra time to review Verizon’s request to discontinue legacy copper landline service in parts of Delaware and Virginia, after rural reliability concerns were raised. Healthcare Policy & Costs: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Delaware, tied to claims of overcharged federal exchange user fees. Workforce Training: Delaware Tech received a $25,000 Metallica Scholars Initiative grant to support six HVAC certificate students. Legal/Business: A Delaware federal judge wiped out a $14M patent verdict against Anker, while separate Delaware-linked patent litigation continues in the pharma space involving United Therapeutics and Liquidia. Local Industry Spotlight: Ursuline Academy secured a $2.5M lead gift toward a planned $10M Wilmington performing arts center.

Energy & Environment (Delaware): The Caesar Rodney Institute is urging Delaware to fold sustainably harvested wood and biomass into an “all-of-the-above” electricity plan, pointing to the state’s forest strategy and the need for markets for lower-quality timber. Energy Policy (Delaware): A Delaware policy debate over power supply continues, with lawmakers’ energy bills failing to advance in the General Assembly. AI & Law (Delaware-linked): A U.S. appeals court backed Thomson Reuters in its Westlaw AI copyright fight, rejecting a “fair use” defense tied to AI training on copyrighted legal summaries. Corporate Governance (Delaware Chancery): Delaware Chancery rejected a Saama founder’s $68M earnout bid, finding bad faith in a dispute tied to Carlyle-backed clinical data. Data Privacy & Consumer Protection (Delaware): Delaware joined a multistate $2.3M settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach involving a debt-collection vendor, emphasizing that vendor management can’t be outsourced. Local Business & Manufacturing: Greif set its Q4 2026 earnings call for Nov. 4, while Battalion Oil published an updated investor presentation. Renewables (Delaware): A Georgetown community solar farm is now operational, but residents are debating impacts on wildlife and neighbors. Storm Readiness (Delaware): A Coastal Preparedness Symposium in Fenwick Island focused on evacuation routes, power safety, and emergency planning after a late September nor’easter. Workplace Benefits: New data shows nearly half of private workers still lack paid family and medical leave access, with Delaware among states rolling out new programs in 2026.

Corporate Courts: Delaware Chancery rejected Saama founder Suresh Katta’s $67.5M earnout bid tied to a Carlyle investment, ordering him to pay about $7.3M after finding bad faith. Energy Policy: A Delaware energy explainer argues the state’s 1999 restructuring left new power financing stuck in a PJM market design that discourages dependable generation; a related roundup says multiple bills aimed at boosting supply and lowering power costs died in the General Assembly. Power & Renewables: A new Georgetown community solar farm is now operational, but residents are debating impacts on wildlife and the community. Data Security: Delaware joined a 44-state settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 breach at its debt-collector vendor, AMCA, with Delaware’s share at $2.3M and renewed focus on vendor-management duties. Manufacturing & Jobs: Pennsylvania highlighted construction progress on DrinkPAK’s $195M East Coast canned-beverage expansion in Philadelphia, targeting 174+ jobs. Transportation Infrastructure: DelDOT marked the North Millsboro Bypass first anniversary, touting 8,000 vehicles daily and ongoing Route 113 widening work. Legal Tech & IP: The Third Circuit affirmed Thomson Reuters’ Westlaw AI copyright win, keeping intact a Delaware ruling that a legal AI tool infringed headnotes. College Sports: The U.S. Senate passed a sweeping college sports bill setting national rules for athlete pay, transfers, and NCAA authority. Business Restructuring: A Delaware bankruptcy filing by Yardbird’s parent signals a restructuring and potential sale after the Miami Beach restaurant closure.

Delaware Courts & IP: A Delaware federal judge kept Bayer’s COVID mRNA patent fight alive, rejecting Pfizer/BioNTech/Moderna bids to toss the cases, meaning the litigation can proceed even as the court didn’t rule on infringement or patent validity. AI & Business Growth: Brain Digits opened a new Abu Dhabi office in Masdar City to help governments and companies adopt AI, aligning with the emirate’s push for an “AI-native” government by 2027. Sports Industry Policy: The U.S. Senate passed a sweeping college sports bill (77-22) setting national rules on athlete compensation and transfers; Delaware’s senators split, with Lisa Blunt Rochester voting no and Chris Coons supporting. Local Delaware Infrastructure: DelDOT announced Nassau Road in Lewes will close Oct. 6 through Jan. 2027 for a roundabout tied to the Minos Conaway Road project, with detours posted. Delaware Manufacturing & Energy: Bloom Energy’s Newark plant is powering its rise as the 76ers’ jersey-patch sponsor, with the company citing AI data-center demand and local hiring. Public Health & Consumer Claims: AG Alan Wilson urged consumers to file for compensation tied to multistate settlements over alleged generic drug price inflation.

College Sports Policy: A bipartisan Senate bill is nearing passage to set national rules for college athlete pay and transfers, including disclosure of foreign funding over $600 and limits on eligibility and competition. Delaware Courts & Business Law: Delaware’s Supreme Court issued guidance on director independence under SB 21, while Chancery rulings continue to shape patent and fiduciary-fee disputes, including interest being struck in a Delaware patent indemnity fight. AI & State Tech: Delaware CIO Bob Osmond says states are using AI to classify sensitive data and improve cybersecurity and procurement as AI adoption matures. Energy & Manufacturing: Bloom Energy’s Newark plant is powering AI data-center demand, and the Sixers’ patch sponsorship reflects the company’s local growth. Rural Health IT: Delaware approved nearly $23M for three rural health centers to upgrade records, expand care coordination, and add mobile services. Insurance & Property Claims: Republic Claims Associates expanded licensing into Delaware and other states to help policyholders pursue property insurance claims. Data Security: A multistate AG settlement targets Labcorp over a 2019 breach, requiring stronger vendor security controls. Food Safety: A pork sausage recall warns of possible hard plastic contamination. Gas Prices: Diesel and premium fuel prices in Delaware counties stayed volatile, with the lowest reported diesel dipping to the low-$5 range in the Sept. 19 week.

Sports & Manufacturing Partnerships: Bloom Energy is now the Philadelphia 76ers’ official “Jersey Patch” partner, with Bloom’s Newark, Del. manufacturing hub tied to Delaware Blue Coats jersey sponsorship and a seven-figure regional community investment. Biotech Dealmaking: Lifecore Biomedical says it has a definitive agreement to be acquired by Webster Equity Partners in a transaction valued up to $663.7M, with cash per share plus contingent value rights tied to milestones. Defense & Brands: Powell Max Limited signed a share exchange deal to buy a minority stake in Remington Firearms’ parent, setting up an exclusivity period for a larger combination. Delaware Housing & Planning: Wilmington’s Bancroft Parkway high-rise rezoning fight remains on hold after resident opposition; in Sussex County, a new state density law is reshaping debate over the Lantern Cove rezoning. Health & Rural Care: Three Delaware health centers are sharing nearly $23M in federal Rural Health Transformation Program awards for upgrades and expanded services. Energy & Infrastructure: A Delaware Bay beach nourishment project is delayed a year as officials work to secure remaining easements. Workforce & Visas: Delaware recorded 545 H-2B worker approvals in fiscal 2026 through June 30, 2026, with a 100% approval rate. Tech & Space: Astro Digital plans to go public via merger with Proem Acquisition Corp I.

Energy & Grid Reliability: Pennsylvania regulators warn data center growth tied to AI could push the Philadelphia region toward supply shortfalls, with blackouts possible by 2030 if new power isn’t built. Federal Funding for Delaware Health Care: Three Delaware rural health centers split nearly $23M for clinic upgrades, mobile units, and care expansion. Immigration & Workforce: Delaware recorded 545 H-2B worker approvals tied to Delaware worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 100% approval rate for those decisions. Coastal Resilience: Delaware Bay beach nourishment for Bowers Beach, Kitts Hummock, Pickering Beach and Slaughter Beach is delayed a year as officials secure remaining easements. Storm Impacts: A nor’easter battered the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with flooding, downed lines, and outages, including Delaware’s coast where erosion and beach closures were reported. Local Business/Industry: Delaware County’s proposed data center rules face pushback as residents argue zoning hurdles don’t go far enough. Telecom Infrastructure: The FCC paused Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in Delaware and other states, citing more review time amid rural concerns. Workforce Policy: Delaware AG Jay Jones joined a coalition opposing a proposed H-1B petition tax.

Climate & Clean Energy: Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer joined a bipartisan governors-and-mayors climate pact aimed at pushing state-led action despite a hostile federal backdrop. Power Demand & Data Centers: AI data centers are driving a surge in electricity use, with analysts warning consumption could climb sharply by the late 2020s and beyond—an issue that will shape local energy planning. Severe Weather: A nor’easter battered the Mid-Atlantic and Jersey Shore with flooding, outages, and major disruption, including repeated coastal impacts. Delaware Health Funding: The Trump administration announced nearly $23M for Delaware rural and underserved health centers, including upgrades and mobile care units. Delaware Business & Industry: Delaware’s new $10M film tax credit program is now accepting applications, targeting productions that spend at least $100,000 in the state. Telecom Infrastructure: The FCC paused Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in Delaware and other states, citing more time needed amid concerns from rural users. Energy Prices: Gas prices stayed volatile nationally, while Delaware-area reporting highlighted week-to-week changes at the pump.

Rural Health Funding: The Trump administration announced nearly $23M in awards for Delaware health centers under the Rural Health Transformation Program, including upgrades to electronic records, remote monitoring, cybersecurity, and expanded care teams, plus mobile units to reach rural and agricultural communities. Data Centers & Local Zoning: In Delaware County, residents and neighboring municipalities are clashing over a proposed data center near the Trainer–Lower Chichester line, with complaints that zoning hurdles and differing municipal stances are leaving neighbors exposed. Permitting for Manufacturing Expansion: Tewksbury’s conservation commission approved environmental permits for a scaled-back Pepde Corporation project at 600 Woburn St., tied to a new multi-bay building and revised stormwater/wetlands plans. Telecom Infrastructure: The FCC paused Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in nine states, including Delaware, after ordering more time to review concerns from remote communities. Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reported Delaware County’s lowest diesel at $5.89/gal for the week ending Sept. 19, while the national regular-gas average climbed nearly 5 cents to $4.48. AI & Web Security: Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince discussed how AI-driven scraping and agent activity are reshaping bot traffic and how site owners can control access. Entertainment Production: Delaware’s Division of Small Business opened applications for the state’s first $10M film tax credit program, offering a 30% transferable credit for qualifying production spending. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: An eight-state coalition, including Delaware, sued to challenge Trump administration buyouts of offshore wind leases, arguing the payouts steer money into oil and gas instead. Severe Weather Disruptions: A nor’easter battered the East Coast with flooding and power outages, including major impacts across New Jersey and the Philadelphia region.

Delaware Film Incentives: The Delaware Division of Small Business is taking applications for the state’s first $10M Entertainment and Production Tax Credit, offering a 30% transferable credit for eligible film, TV, esports and video game projects spending over $100,000 in Delaware, with applications accepted on a rolling basis until funds run out. Energy & Shale Watch: BP is reportedly looking at buying Devon Energy’s Eagle Ford assets, a move that could reshape U.S. onshore shale plans as Devon faces activist pressure to sell or divest. Data Center Fight: A proposed data center at a 24.4-acre site near the former Congoleum plant has sparked a dispute between Trainer Borough and Lower Chichester Township, with neighbors warning it would put the facility in a dense residential area. Offshore Wind Legal Battle: Delaware is among eight states suing the Trump administration over payments to private companies to cancel offshore wind leases, escalating a broader fight over billions in buyouts. Healthcare & Pharma: Mirum Pharmaceuticals and Incyte announced FDA approval of Atebrioz (zilurgisertib) for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, expanding treatment options for adult and pediatric patients. Courts & Labor: Delaware’s Supreme Court upheld denial of a workers’ compensation claim, deferring to credibility findings by the Industrial Accident Board.

Biopharma & Courts: A Delaware federal judge ruled Teva and Apotex don’t infringe Vanda’s Hetlioz sleep-drug patents, a win that could shape generic competition in Delaware’s life-sciences ecosystem. Energy & Capital Markets: BP reportedly walked away from a potential $4.5B deal for Devon Energy’s Eagle Ford shale assets, underscoring how activist pressure and oil-market risk are reshuffling U.S. shale bets. Delaware Business Law: Delaware Chancery found Curonix owns Stimwave shares tied to a bankruptcy purchase, a reminder that ownership fights can move fast in the First State. Coastal & Construction: Delaware State Parks will close the New Road parking area starting Sept. 28 for up to five weeks for the Thompson Island Living Shoreline project, with an 810-foot living reef planned. Consumer Data & Enforcement: Delaware and other states continue pushing multistate actions over patient-data breaches, including Labcorp-related settlements tied to vendor handling. Aviation & Local Industry: Aloft AeroArchitects hosted a global business-jet interior summit in Dewey Beach, highlighting Delaware’s niche manufacturing and training pipeline. AI Policy Push: Bipartisan state AGs urged Congress to set federal AI safety rules, arguing self-policing isn’t enough.

FDA & Biotech: AstraZeneca’s IMFINZI (durvalumab) plus enfortumab vedotin won US Priority Review for muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients ineligible for cisplatin, with an FDA decision expected in Q4 2026. AI Governance: Delaware AG Dana Nessel joined a bipartisan coalition urging Congress to regulate AI now, warning unchecked development threatens financial systems, critical infrastructure, and national security. Healthcare Data Security: Delaware is part of a 44-state $2.3M multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach tied to a debt collector, with required upgrades to information security and vendor oversight. Delaware Courts & Finance: In Delaware Chancery, Ondo Finance denied a CoinDesk report that it was shopped to buyers after founder Nathan Allman’s death; the control fight continues under a court order. Insurance Enforcement: A former Delaware insurance agent, Zenaida Nieves-Cordero, was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing premium payments from Spanish-speaking clients, ordered to repay $625,226.75. Energy & Midstream: Select Water Solutions agreed to buy Delaware Basin-focused Pilot Water Solutions for $700M, targeting growth tied to energy-sector water demand. Legal/VC: Lowenstein Sandler launched a venture funds launch practice to advise fund managers and limited partners on governance, compliance, transactions, and tax. Local Business & Infrastructure: Old Orchard Road in Lewes reopened with a new alignment, while Plantation Road Phase 2 moves into right-of-way acquisition. Tech & Delaware Industry: Fineotex Chemical incorporated a Delaware-based US subsidiary to supply advanced water treatment chemicals for data centers and semiconductor manufacturing.