Contact: Cat Ulrich
cat@emccommunications.com, (202) 630-7839
July 19, 2021—Today, business owners in attendance and throughout Delaware applaud as Gov. John Carney signs Senate Bill 15, raising Delaware’s minimum wage from $9.25 currently to $15 by 2025, and making Delaware the 10th state to enact a $15 minimum wage. Business leaders say that raising the minimum wage will increase consumer spending, strengthen businesses and local workforces, and help build a stronger economy.
“This is a great day for Delaware and small businesses across the state who advocated raising the minimum wage to boost the economy,” said Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. “Workers will be able to spend more at local businesses and fairer pay will bring lower employee turnover and increased productivity. Raising Delaware’s minimum wage will help businesses and communities thrive.”
Kristen Deptula, owner of the Canalside Inn, in Rehoboth Beach, said, “Raising the minimum wage will promote a more robust economic recovery from the pandemic for working people and businesses. And more businesses will experience the positive connection between better pay, better employee retention, and better customer retention.”
Ravi Goel, managing partner of Even & Odd Minds in Wilmington, said, “Raising the minimum wage to $15 will yield big benefits for Delaware. Fair pay really helps with employee retention and performance, and has been a key investment in our employees’ success and ours.”
Courtney Sunborn, owner of Ecolistic Cleaning in Lewes, said, “I’m delighted that Delaware’s minimum wage is increasing to $15. Paying your employees a livable wage is better for business. Our valued employees deliver the great service that keeps our residential and commercial clients happy. And when people earn more as workers, they spend more as customers, in a virtuous cycle that drives our economy.”
Ryan Peters, owner of RISE Fitness + Adventure in Rehoboth Beach, said, “As we recover from the pandemic, a decent minimum wage has never been more important. People need jobs that pay enough to live on. Businesses need customers who can afford what we’re offering. Raising Delaware's minimum wage will strengthen our state’s workforce and businesses.”
Sarah Titus, owner of The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington, said, “When you pay higher wages, and staff feel valued and aren’t scrambling financially, they return that to you in productivity and better customer service. I look forward to minimum wage increases putting more money in people’s pockets so they can spend more at local businesses.”
SB 15 will gradually raise Delaware’s minimum wage from $9.25 to $10.50 per hour effective January 1, 2022, $11.75 in 2023, $13.25 in 2024 and $15 in 2025. Today, Delaware joins California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, as well as the District of Columbia, in enacting a $15 minimum wage. Virginia also passed a gradual increase to $15 but the General Assembly must re-enact the final steps before they can occur.
To arrange an interview with Delaware business leaders supportive of raising the minimum wage, please contact Cat Ulrich at cat@emccommunications.com or (202) 630-7839.
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Business for a Fair Minimum Wage is a network of business owners and executives and business organizations that believe a fair minimum wage makes good business sense. twitter.com/MinimumWageBiz