The organizations listed in this section offer general economic and community development services such as business planning, market assistance, and identification of capital financing sources. In some cases, their knowledge of cooperative business enterprises may be limited.
Keystone Development Center helps develop cooperatives through a network of private, public, and educational entities. KDC strives to improve rural economic conditions through cooperative development, with priority given to new and emerging groups, cooperatives, and communities. For more information contact Cathy Smith. Telephone: 814-687-4937. Email: smith (at) kdc (dot) coop. The KDC mailing address is c/o Adams Electric Cooperative, Inc., 200 Trinity Road, York, PA 17404. Telephone: 717-792-2163. Fax: 717-792-2573
The RDC’s mission is to strengthen and diversify Maryland’s rural economy by providing technical assistance, strategic planning, and financial assistance for public development with an emphasis on creating public/private partnerships. Contact: Daniel Kuennen, Director at dskuennen (at) umes (dot) edu. Address: Richard A. Henson Center, Room 2147, UMES, Princess Anne, MD 21853. Telephone: 410-651-6183. Fax: 410-651-6207.
CoOptions/UMES is the resource center for the Rural Devlopment Center that provides information about cooperative business oppoortunities on the Delmarva Peninsula. Contact: Daniel Kuennen, Director at dskuennen (at) umes (dot) edu. Address: RIchard A. Henson Center, Room 2147, UMES, Princess Anne, MD 21853. Telephone: 410-651-6183. Fax: 410-651-6207. Website: http://www.co-options.coop/.
Businesses must register with the Division of Revenue. Address: Delaware Division of Revenue, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Telephone: 1-800-292-7826. For a table that explains different business structures check http://revenue.delaware.gov/services/Business_Tax/business_structures_table.pdf
Regional Offices:
New Castle County. Address: Carvel State Office Bldg., 820 North French St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Telephone: 302-577-8200. Fax: 302-577-8202.
Kent County. Address: Thomas Collins Bldg., 540 S. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Telephone: 302-744-1085. Fax: 302-744-1095.
Sussex County. Address: 20653 Dupont Blvd., Suite 2, Georgetown, DE 19947. Telephone: 302-856-5358. Fax: 302-856-5697.
Also: http://corp.delaware.gov/
An extremely diverse agency offering a variety of public services which includes the Division of Corporations for business filings, business incorporation, licensing, banking, notary services. Address: Division of Corporations/Regular Mail, PO Box 898, Dover, DE 19903 or Division of Corporations/Express Mail, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal ST., Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901. Telephone: 302-739-3073.
A member owned electric cooperative serving rural DE. Address: 39 Elm St., PO Box 471, Delhi, NY 13753. Telephone: 607-746-2341. Fax: 607-746-7548.
Also: http://dda.delaware.gov/locations.shtml.
Delaware Department of Agriculture offers a variety of services with a mission to sustain and promote the viability of food, fiber, and agricultural industries in Delaware. Address: 2320 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Telephone: 302-698-4500 or 800-282-8685.
A member owned electric cooperative serving Sussex, Kent and New Castle Counties. Address: Box 600, 14198 Sussex Highway, Greenwood, DE 19950. Telephone: 1-800-282-8595.
Acts to protect and promote Maryland agriculture and rural life. Farm Bureau’s purpose is to increase net farm income and improve the quality of life by providing a legislative voice, increasing public understanding and promoting member involvement. Address: 3457 South Dupont Highway, Camden, DE 19934. Telephone: 302-697-3183. Fax: 302-697-1428.
The Fruit and Vegetable Programs division of AMS has several branches that offer a variety of services including; Marketing Assistance Branch, PACA/Licensing Branch, Inspections, Economic Analysis, Processed Products Branch and Research & Promotion Branch. Address: USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable Programs/PACA Branch; 8700 Centreville Rd., Suite 206, Manassas, VA 20110-8411. Telephone: 1-800-495-7222 Ext. 3 or 703-331-4550. Fax: 703-331-4550. Check the website for specific branch contacts.
FSA provides information and services. Their mission is to help farmers conserve land and water resources, provide credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and assist with disaster relief. Address: 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19904. Telephone: 302-678-4250. Fax: 302-678-9100.
NRCS provides technical assistance in a partnership effort to help private land owners, managers, farmers and ranchers conserve their soil, water and natural resources. Address: 1221 College Park Drive #100, Dover, De 19904. Telephone: 443-482-2913. Fax: 302-678-0843.
Rural Development’s Rural Business and Cooperative Programs are designed to assist rural America in building local economies by increasing jobs and developing small and emerging private businesses. Rural Development provides guaranteed loans, re-lending programs and financial assistance for economic development and rural towns and non-profit corporations. Address: USDA Rural Development/Business and Community Programs; 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, Delaware 19904. Telephone: 302-857-3625. Fax: 302-857-3635.
Conducts a rural development program designed to provide technical assistance to rural residents interested in organizing cooperatives or to existing cooperatives seeking to improve operations. This technical assistance includes needs assessments, strategic planning, business planning, feasibility analysis, board training, along with distributing education materials. Address: State Office; 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904. Telephone: 302-857-3580. Fax: 302-857-3640. Email: Denise.MacLeish (at) de.usda (dot) gov
USDA Rural Development serving Kent & New Castle Counties in DE and Cecil, Harford & Kent Counties in MD. Address: 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904. Telephone: 302-857-3595 Ext. 4. Fax 302-678-2863.
USDA Rural Development serving Sussex County. Address: Agricultural Service Center, 408-A North DuPont Hwy, Georgetown, DE 19947. Telephone: 302-856-3990 Ext. 4. Fax: 302-856-4381.
Offers resources on a variety of topics including; agriculture, business, funding, economics, rural development, cooperatives, environmental, housing, labor etc.. Address: National Agricultural Library, Room 132, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-2351. Telephone: 800-633-7701. Email: ric (at) ars.usda (dot) gov.
The Fruit and vegetable programs division of AMS has several branches that offer a variety of services including; Marketing Assistance Branch, PACA/Licensing Branch, Inspections, Economic Analysis, Processed Products Branch and Research & Promotion Branch. Address: USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Indpendence Ave., SW, Room 2077 South Bldg., Stop Code 0235, Washington, DC 20250-0235. Contact: Robert C. Keeney, Deputy Administrator at Robert.Keeney (at) usda (dot) gov. Telephone: 202-720-4722. Fax: 202-720-0016. Check the website for specific branch Contacts.
A division of the USDA for food safety regulations and inspection services. Address: US Dept. of Agriculture; District 75, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Suite 1-2288 B, Beltsville, MD 20705-5200. Telephone: 301-504-2136. Fax: 301-504-2140.
The mission of the Delaware Economic Development Office is to attract new investors and businesses to the State, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens.
Dover Location: 99 Kings Highway, Dover DE 19901. Telephone: 302-739-4271. Fax: 302-739-5749.
Wilmington Location: 820 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Telephone: 302-577-8477. Fax: 302-577-8499.
Provides a directory of websites of economic development agencies Nationwide and around the world. Check the website for Delaware listings.
Rockwell Associates is a financial consulting firm that uses a goal-oriented approach to assist clients with financial planning, investments and insurance; serving PA, MD and DE. Address: 1521 Concord Pike, Suite 305, Brandywine Plaza West, Wilmington, DE 19803-3644. Telephone: 302-655-7151. Email: methven.barbara (at) pmlmail (dot) com.
A publication for start up businesses with easy access to state services for small businesses, providers of business information, services and assistance.
“Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit organization that provides free and confidential small business advice and training. SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneurial education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses. Address: The Nemours Building, 1007 Orange Street, Suite 1120, Wilmington, DE 19801. Telephone: 302-573-6552. Fax: 302-573-6092.
SBDC’s offer comprehensive assistance to small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance. Staff will help with accounting, market research, and financial analysis. Most services are free. The website is full of useful information that will link you to any of the centers.
Dover SBDC
DSU Bank of America Bldg., Suite 108
1200 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover DE 19901.
Telephone: 302-678-1555.
Gerorgetown SBDC
Sussex County Center. University of DE
Address: 103 W. Pine Street, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Telephone: 302-856-1555.
Newark SBDC
New Castle County Center, Univeristy of DE
Address: 1 Innovation Way, Suite 301, Newark, DE 19711.
Telephone: 302-831-0770.
Wilmington SBDC
UD Non Profit Community Resource Center
Address: 100 W. 10th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Telephone: 302-831-2770.
CSREES is an agency within the USDA whose mission is to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health, and communities through National program leadership and Federal assistance. Mailing Address: USDA/CSREES 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 2201, Washington, DC 20250-2201. Telephone: 202-720-4423. Physical Address: CSREES 800 9th St., SW, Washington, DC 20024.
Cornell Cooperative Extension offers a wide variety of services and programs to help farmers operate profitable businesses. Address: State Hwy 10, PO Box 184, Hamden, NY 13782-0184. Telephone: 607-865-6531. Fax: 607-865-6532. Email: Delaware (at) cornell (dot) edu.
The University provides academic & service programs in agriculture and natural resources. Address: 1200 DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Telephone: (Day) 302-857-6060 and (Eve) 302-857-6290.
Delaware State University/Cooperative Extension.
Call or check the website for the department and staff directory
Telephone: 302-857-6425. Website: www.desu.edu/directory.
Address: 1101 Camden Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801. Telephone: 410-543-6000.
Delmarva Farm Co-op Information/Wicomico County Extension Office. Telephone: 410-749-6141 or Email: ss80 (at) umail.umd (dot) edu.
Website: www.agnr.umd.edu/wicomico.
The University provides academic & service programs in agriculture and business. Address: University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716. Telephone: 302-831-2792.
University of Delaware/Cooperative Extension.
Call or check the website for the department & staff directory.
Telephone: 302-831-2501. Website: http://ag.udel.edu/extension/direcotry/CE_directory.htm.
Cooperative Extension by County served:
NCC Cooperative Extension/ Serving New Castle County
Address: 461 Wyoming Rd., Newark, DE 19716.
Telephone: 302-831-2506. Fax: 302-831-8934.
Website: http://ag.udel.edu/
Cooperative Extension/Serving Kent County
Address: 69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901.
Telephone: 302-730-4000. Fax: 302-735-8130.
Website: http://ag.udel.edu/extension/kent/.
Cooperative Extension/Serving Sussex County
Address: 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE, 19947.
Telephone: 302-856-7303. Fax 302-856-1845.
Website: http://www.rec.udel.edu/TopLevel/staff_and_programs.htm.
Delaware on the web is a directory of DE Credit Unions by County. Address: 560 Peoples Plaza #210, Newark, DE 19702. Telephone: 302-838-4232. Fax: 302-838-4234
Local Lender is also a directory of DE Credit Unions: www.locallender.info/credit-unions/delaware-credit-unions/
Kent County. First State Federal Credit Union. Address: 874 Walker Rd., #B, Dover, DE 19904. Telephone: 302-674-5281.
Sussex County. Seaford Federal Credit Union. Address: 116 S. Dual Hwy, Seaford, DE 19973. Telephone: 302-629-7852.
New Castle County. American Spirit Federal Credit Union. Address: 1110 Elkton Rd., Newark, DE 19711. Telephone: 302-738-4515
Credit Unions provide access to at-cost financial services for a cross section of the population. DFCU has several locations in Delaware.
Dover Air Force Base. Address: Bldg 264 Chad St., Dover DE. Telephone: 302-678-8000.
West Dover. Address: 225 Saulsbury Rd., Dover DE. Telephone: 302-678-800o.
North Dover. Address: 255 N. DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE. Telephone: 302-678-8000.
New Castle. Address: 4 Quigley Blvd., DE Credit Union League Bldg., New Castle, DE. Telephone: 302-322-4230.
An agricultural lending and credit service institution serving the east. Address: 240 South Road, Enfield, CT 06082. Telephone: 860-741-4380 or 1-800-562-2235. Fax: 860-253-5565.
A provider of farm loans and rural financing. Address 659 W. Jamison Circle, Littleton Co 80120. Telephone: 1-888-249-0777.
A financial institution that offers farm loans and leases for real estate, operating, equipment, facilities and other farm related expenses. One of the largest agricultural and rural lenders on the east coast with offices in DE, MD and PA. Address: 1410 South State St., Dover, DE 19903-0418. Telephone: 302-734-7534. Fax: 302-734-7541.
The Cabrini Terrace Owners Corporation is a financially sound housing cooperative formed in 1986, with luxury apartments, security, public transportation, concierge services and laundry facilities. Address: 900 West 190th Street, New York, NY 10040-3633. Telephone: 212-795-2750.
A member owned electric cooperative serving rural DE. Address: 39 Elm St., PO Box 471, Delhi, NY 13753. Telephone: 607-746-2341. Fax: 607-746-7548.
A member owned electric cooperative serving Sussex, Kent and New Castle Counties. Address: Box 600, 14198 Sussex Highway, Greenwood, DE 19950. Telephone: 1-800-282-8595.
Offers unique handwoven and crafted clothing, jewelry, accessories, rugs, coffee, household items and musical instruments from artisan cooperatives around the world. Address: Route 1 York Beach Mall, South Bethany, DE 19930. Telephone: 302-539-6392. Fax: 302-539-6392. Email: grimesk (at) udel (dot) edu.
Owned to serve the public by the Newark Community Cooperative, Inc. They offer a wide variety of natural foods and supplements and as a co-op, they make business decisions based on sustainability and the impact on the earth and the community. Address: 280 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19711. Telephone: 302-368-5894. Fax: 302-368-3049. Email: nnfoods (at) mycomcast (dot) com.
One of the Nation’s largest farmer owned cooperatives serving 23 states. Since 1923, the cooperative has used the collective resources of its members to increase research capabilities which benefits the farmers and helps increase farm income. The cooperative has branches in farming & ag, lawn & garden, horses, pets, and energy. Address: Dagsboro Service at 302 Clayton St., Dagsboro, DE 19939. Telephone: 302-732-6651. Best Equipment at 32258 Janice Road, Lewes, DE 19958. Telephone: 302-645-6520.
A Fair Trade retail store that sells products purchased from cooperative businesses. They offers jewelry, clothes, world music, masks, home décor, candies and coffee, purchased. Address: 165 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19711. Telephone: 302-368-9923.
Delaware -- Local Resources