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Mission
To advocate, on behalf of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce membership, for policy and legislation that positively affects our business economy and our community on both an immediate and a long-term basis.
Indian River Inlet Bridge
As you know by now, the Bond Bill Committee voted to fund the new bridge as a design/build project. DelDOT will now issue a request for qualifications, and then a request for proposals. They expect to award the contract by the end of 2006, and at this time still expect a new bridge to be open by the end of 2010. The present construction at the bridge is to shift the roadway to make room for the foundation of the new bridge approaches. Thanks to great weather that work is ahead of schedule, and all four lanes should be open before the end of April. Access roads into the parks are reopened, but still under construction. DelDOT is working on striping and signage to get cyclists safely through the construction zone. DelDOT representatives will speak at our April Membership Meeting.
Other DelDOT Issues
Now that the bridge funding has been secured we can turn our attention to seeing that the Route 26 widening project gets ranked high on DelDOT’s priority list. Watch your email for information as we rev up that campaign.
DNREC Regulations
Sen. Bunting and Rep. Hocker met recently with DNREC Secretary John Hughes and Tony Pratt, DNREC’s Shoreline & Waterways Section Program Administrator. All were in agreement that the 30-year-old Beach Preservation Act is antiquated and doesn’t reflect the current state of real estate, beach replenishment, etc. They are working to draft legislation to amend the Act and have it ready to be introduced mid-March when the legislature goes back in session. If all goes according to plan, the Act will be amended and then DNREC will draft new regulations to implement it. We will carefully track this legislation and inform you of the bill numbers and language when they are introduced, and of any action that should be taken.
Power Increases
Everyone is aware that when the rate caps come off later this year we will face large energy bill increases. The actual rate increases for businesses have not been released, but they will be higher than the 59% forecast for residential customers. You should plan/adjust your budget to include this increase. Delmarva Power plans to host a seminar for business customers in our area to explain the situation and to educate you on some ways to conserve energy in your business. We will let you know via email as soon as that seminar is scheduled.
Please click here for a list of power-saving tips to help you save money and energy!
If you are interested in joining the Public Policy Committeee please contact Karen at 539-2100 ext. 14 or karenm@bethany-fenwick.org.
