On Friday, May 4, government, community and business leaders came together for what turned out to be a standing room only audience as FSM Owner Eli Valenzuela, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Delaware State University President Dr. Harry Williams, and the City of Milford Mayor Ronnie Rogers, to form a public-private partnership for the purpose of launching the “First State Moves the Nation” (FSMN) Accelerator. 

The FSMN Accelerator will create, increase and measure connectivity between established manufacturers and the industries that support manufacturing access to advanced manufacturing practices and technology.  The infrastructure will consist of both an on-site and virtual economic development model that will provide agencies, governments, non-profits and private organizations with the training and support necessary to access capital, marketplace intelligence, government contracting, workforce development, legislative and regulatory information, operations management, proposal writing, industry-related mentors, and supply chain economy.

This partnership is part of Senator Carper’s challenge to Delaware State University to stimulate economic growth in Kent and Sussex County.