My vision for Wilmington’s tech-driven comeback: mayoral candidate Theo Gregory

Eight months ago I outlined a “To-Do List” to enhance the quality of life in the City of Wilmington. I have spent those eight months and my decades of service on City Council and as its President to develop a comprehensive technological approach to move the city forward.
As the foundation of this approach I will establish a Wilmington Technology Development Authority similar to the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority in Pennsylvania. The Ben Franklin program, which is backed by the state, has aided in the creation of more than 1,000 companies and 20,000 jobs, according to Pennsylvania officials. That is something to emulate.
The future of Wilmington is not in brick and mortar. Wilmington sits strategically on the I-95 corridor, within commuting distance to New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and D.C. It’s closer to the Philadelphia Airport than most places in Philadelphia. Labor costs are lower. Real estate is far less expensive. Taxes are much less. Wilmington’s traffic congestion is non-existent by comparison to those cities.
Given these advantages, a Wilmington Technology Development Authority will put our technology on the cutting edge. Competitive technology will make Wilmington highly disruptive to the labor and capital markets of our big neighbors north and south. The upgrade will also make Wilmington the hub for our smaller neighbors east and west.
Here’s how:
Use technology to improve public safety and policing

• Public safety is the most significant concern of residents and visitors. I intend to implement a predictive analytics system similar to that used by many U.S. cities, including Philadelphia. These systems enable a dynamic approach to crime reduction, targeted enforcement and personnel and resource management. Every city that has employed these systems experienced a dramatic reduction in crime and improved quality of life.

Use technology to grow and sustain neighborhoods

• The challenges of the City of Wilmington can be met by utilizing big bata software that can focus on specific significant needs of each neighborhood. An open source data system similar to Open Data Philly can expedite the gathering of critical information and the implementation of improvements.

Develop technology-based jobs

• There are 12,200 working-age Wilmington citizens who are not employed — a staggering 26 percent unemployment rate. Most of these people live in poverty, don’t have cars, smartphones, work attire, adequate childcare options and do not have internet services. I will ensure that all eligible constituents get federally funded smartphones and learn how to use them to earn a living. I will advocate to obtain Comcast’s Internet Essentials low-cost internet services for all qualified residents.

My vision for economic development in the City of Wilmington
When compared with previous industrial revolutions, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is evolving at an exponential rather than a linear pace. Moreover, it is disrupting almost every industry in every country. And the breadth and depth of these changes herald the transformation of entire systems of production, management and governance.
As mayor of Wilmington I will embrace this change and use it to our benefit to create sustainable jobs, not buildings.
Utilizing the technology described above I will provide home-based employment, which will be especially beneficial to the single mothers who represent 75 percent of our parents. I have already been in contact with potential employers and plan to solicit the 1 million businesses “headquartered” in Wilmington.
These employment initiatives will be coordinated with the JOBS Act, which will attract high-net-worth individuals to Wilmington making it the financial center for raising capital for emerging businesses. Wilmington is already a banking, financial and corporate hub.
Also as mayor, I will capitalize on the recent $2.45 billion upgrade to Amtrak, which will increase the current number of 700,00 passengers utilizing the city’s Joseph R. Biden Jr. Railroad Station. This will stimulate the economy by engaging passengers through advertising and promotional programs in the station.
Technology will deliver equity in education — technology such as massive open online courses (MOOCs) will enable the city to provide tailored school choices, such as home schooling, small charter schools that are not dependent on buildings and customized learning for special needs students.
The future is not brick and mortar. Meg Whitman, CEO of Hewlett Packard once said, “You can’t compete with a technology disruptor.” The citizens of Wilmington need to participate in, and benefit from, this disruption.