‘Unlock the Block’ pitch competition aims to draw businesses to downtown Dover

Dover wants your business. Your small business, specifically.

The Delaware Division of Small Business and the City of Dover launched the Unlock the Block initiative this week, an effort to attract small businesses to the capital city with a pitch competition to fill four vacant commercial spaces.

In addition to being offered a lease for one of the spaces, the winning businesses will receive cash incentives and benefits such as consulting and technical assistance.

The properties are 1 W. Lookerman St., 204 Lookerman St., 155 S. Bradford St. and 147 S. Governors Ave.

The initiative’s aim is to attract veteran business owners looking to expand and home-based businesses looking for their first brick-and-mortar location.

Unlock the Block is currently recruiting prospective tenants and guiding them through an application process that will end with a pitch competition in late July/early August. Winning tenants could move in as soon as mid-September.

If you’re interested, fill out the Expression of Interest form here.