Businesses considering a move to Delaware can still look — virtually

Right now might not seem like the best time to encourage out-of-state businesses to explore locations in Delaware for a potential move or expansion. Most out-of-state vehicles aren’t even allowed in unless they stick to I-95 at the moment, and even though it’s technically work, touring office facilities in person just isn’t essential enough to be worth the risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Expanding business is essential in terms of Delaware’s economic development, though. So the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, a public-private collaborative organization that (among other things) helps facilitate the process of businesses moving or expanding to the state, has launched Delaware Zoom Prospector, a Delaware-specific microsite of Zoom Prospector.

Not to be confused with the online meeting tool Zoom, Zoom Prospector allows businesses to explore properties using Google Street View, floor plans and galleries, along with extensive data about business activity nearby, consumer expenditures, wage reports and talent pool.

“In the best of times, Zoom Prospector makes it easy for anyone to access key data businesses need to make a location decision — everything from demographics to utilities to internet options and key infrastructure,” said Becky Harrington, business development director for Delaware Prosperity Partnership. “With more than 97% of site selection research done online — especially now at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as companies are asked postpone visits — the new tool allows developers to see aerial and street-level views of locations, as well as vital workforce information and data on amenities and spending patterns as they prepare to build and grow their businesses once restrictions are lifted.”

The idea is to keep Delaware on the radar of growing out-of-state businesses, even while the region is under stay-at-home orders.

“When employers have ready access to the data and can see Delaware’s value proposition — especially how our state is poised to get back to work as soon as it is safe to do so — Zoom Prospector will make the business of deciding to choose Delaware a lot easier,” Harrington said. “The way this data can be combined, compared and contrasted is flashing a well-deserved spotlight on Delaware and will be an important tool in helping us come back economically stronger than ever.”

Among the 326 listings for space are Bracebridge II, The Nemours Building and Chestnut Run Research Center in Wilmington, Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover and The Barrister Building in Rehoboth Beach.