ChristianaCare has officially opened its new Middletown Medical Center, a $200 million, 180,000-square-foot facility serving the rapidly growing communities of southern New Castle County.

The center includes a 24/7 emergency department with 20 treatment bays, a birth center with 12 private suites, an outpatient surgery center, advanced imaging services, and a full-service lab, pharmacy, and specialty clinics.

CEO Dr. Janice Nevin noted Middletown’s population has more than doubled in 15 years, creating urgent need for closer-to-home healthcare. The facility creates over 500 jobs and will serve approximately 75,000 patients annually. It achieved LEED Gold certification.

Wilmington has been named one of America’s top 10 emerging technology hubs by the Brookings Institution, citing the city’s growing fintech sector, talent pipeline, and supportive business environment.

The report highlights Wilmington’s concentration of financial services companies transitioning to digital-first models, the University of Delaware’s expanding computer science programs, a 34% increase in tech startup formations since 2023, and co-working spaces like 1313 Innovation driving early-stage growth.

Governor Matt Meyer called it ‘a validation of Delaware’s strategic investments in technology education and infrastructure’ and announced $15 million in additional state funding for tech workforce development.

The Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington celebrated the grand opening of its newest exhibit this weekend — a $5 million habitat expansion that adds three new species and significantly upgrades existing animal enclosures.

The expansion, called “Wild Delaware & Beyond,” features a river otter habitat with an underwater viewing tunnel, a red panda exhibit with elevated walkways and bamboo gardens, and an expanded bald eagle aviary that’s triple the size of the previous enclosure.

The project also includes a new educational pavilion with interactive exhibits about Delaware’s native wildlife, a nature play area for children ages 2–8, and improved accessibility throughout the zoo with ADA-compliant pathways and sensory-friendly spaces.

“This expansion transforms the Brandywine Zoo from a pleasant afternoon visit into a must-see destination,” said Zoo Director Dr. Brint Spencer. “The river otter exhibit alone is worth the trip.”

The Brandywine Zoo is located in Brandywine Park and is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children 3–17, and free for children under 3. Delaware residents receive $2 off with proof of residency. Annual memberships start at $55 for families.

The zoo expects the new exhibits to increase annual attendance from 75,000 to over 120,000 visitors.

Delaware Technical Community College has launched a new tuition-free Cybersecurity Bootcamp aimed at addressing the growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals in the state. The 16-week program begins enrollment this month with classes starting in September.

The program, funded by a $2.1 million federal workforce development grant, covers network security fundamentals, threat detection and incident response, ethical hacking and penetration testing, cloud security (AWS and Azure), and preparation for CompTIA Security+ and CySA+ certifications.

Graduates will be prepared for entry-level cybersecurity analyst positions, which command average salaries of $65,000–$85,000 in the Delaware/Philadelphia metro area. The program includes a guaranteed internship placement with one of 15 partner companies, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and several Delaware-based firms.

“We designed this program to take someone with basic computer skills and make them job-ready in four months,” said Dr. Karen Pickell, Dean of Workforce Development. “There are thousands of unfilled cybersecurity positions in our region.”

The program is open to Delaware residents 18 and older. No prior IT experience is required. Applications are being accepted at dtcc.edu/cyber. Limited to 40 students per cohort.

Chef Adriana Santos of Cocina del Sol, a contemporary Latin American restaurant on Union Street in Wilmington, has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.

Santos, who opened Cocina del Sol in 2024, has quickly earned a reputation for elevated dishes rooted in her Colombian and Mexican heritage, using locally sourced Delaware ingredients. Her signature dish — a mole negro made with 28 ingredients and prepared over three days — has become a destination dish for food lovers across the region.

“This recognition belongs to my entire team,” Santos said. “Every plate that leaves our kitchen represents their dedication and passion.”

The James Beard Awards, often called the “Oscars of the food world,” recognize outstanding talent in the culinary and food media industries. Semifinalists will be narrowed to finalists in March, with winners announced at a ceremony in Chicago in June.

Cocina del Sol is located at 412 N Union Street, Wilmington. Reservations are recommended and can be made through their website.

Governor Matt Meyer joined Wilmington city officials on Monday to break ground on the long-awaited Riverwalk Extension Project, a $28 million initiative that will add 1.5 miles of waterfront trails connecting the Riverfront district to Fox Point State Park.

The project, funded through a combination of state, federal, and city resources, includes a paved multi-use path for walking and cycling, enhanced lighting and safety features, native plantings and ecological restoration along the shoreline, two new public access points with kayak launches, and interpretive signage highlighting the Christina River’s history.

Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2027. The project is part of a broader state initiative to improve public access to Delaware’s waterways and promote outdoor recreation.

“This investment connects our neighborhoods to the water and to each other,” said Mayor Purzycki. “The Riverwalk is already one of our most popular assets. This extension will make it even better.”

The existing Riverwalk attracts an estimated 500,000 visitors annually. City planners expect the extension to boost foot traffic to nearby businesses and increase property values in the surrounding neighborhoods.

A new coworking space called WorkHub Wilmington officially opened its doors this week at 620 Market Street, adding much-needed flexible office space to downtown Wilmington.

The 8,000-square-foot facility features 50 hot desks, 12 private offices, two conference rooms, a podcast recording studio, and a community lounge with complimentary coffee and snacks. The space was designed by local architecture firm Bernardon, incorporating exposed brick and industrial design elements that complement the historic building’s character.

WorkHub founder and Delaware native Jessica Park said the space fills a gap for freelancers, remote workers, and small startups who need professional space without the commitment of a traditional lease.

“There’s incredible entrepreneurial energy in Wilmington right now,” Park said. “We wanted to create a space where people can collaborate, grow, and build something meaningful.”

Memberships start at $199/month for hot desk access and $599/month for a dedicated private office. A free day pass is available for first-time visitors. More information at workhubwilm.com.

Newark is getting a major new entertainment destination! Lefty’s Alley and Eats has announced its grand opening in Newark, Delaware, bringing bowling, dining, and family fun to the heart of the University of Delaware’s hometown.The entertainment venue features state-of-the-art bowling lanes, an arcade, a full-service restaurant and bar, and private event spaces. It joins a growing wave of new businesses choosing Delaware as their home.The grand opening is expected to draw visitors from across New Castle County and beyond. Stay tuned to Delaware Thrive for updates on hours, specials, and opening week events.

Communities across Delaware are marking the nation’s 250th anniversary with a rich calendar of commemorative events throughout the summer of 2026.From the beaches to the Brandywine Valley, the First State – famously the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution – is going all out with celebrations that honor its unique role in American history.Key events include:All-American Night of Jazz at Stango Park, LewesCAMP Rehoboth Chorus: I Hear America Singing in Rehoboth BeachWinterthur’s Artisan Market in the Brandywine ValleyFourth of July celebrations across Wilmington, Dover, and the beachesFor a full calendar of America250 events, visit delawarebeaches.guide or delawaretoday.com.

The State of Delaware has announced a new statewide program designed to help support and grow small businesses across all three counties. The initiative brings together resources from the Division of Small Business, local chambers of commerce, and private sector partners.The program provides small business owners with access to mentorship, technical assistance, and streamlined pathways to state contracting opportunities. It also includes a digital toolkit to help businesses establish and improve their online presence.Businesses interested in the program can learn more through the Delaware Division of Small Business at business.delaware.gov.