DSU,NGP dedicate CURE Building on Division Street in Dover

Delaware State University has opened up a new facility in Downtown Dover that will work to empower, support, and provide resources for aspiring and existing small businesses.

The University, in collaboration with the affordable housing and community development organization NeighborGood Partner (formerly NCALL), held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the newly constructed CURE Building on the corner of W. Division and New Streets in Dover.

The CURE (Center for Urban Revitalization and Entrepreneurship) Building is a business incubator designed to provide opportunities and resources for small businesses – particularly minority and underserved entrepreneurs. The CURE initiative in this building will also address factors that impact entrepreneurship success – such as education, financial literacy, mental health, social networks, and family structure.

Dr. Michael Casson, Dean of the DSU College of Business, said the CURE Building and the initiative it houses will strive to make a transformative impact on small businesses and Downtown Dover revitalization.

“The CURE will integrate business incubation, co-working space, and community development into a cohesive support system for entrepreneurs, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures growth and innovation in our community,” Dr. Casson said.

According to Karen Speakman, Executive Director of NeighborhoodGood Partner (NGP), the possibility for the CURE Building began as a blight removal effort. This involved eliminating a house with a reputation for drugs, a rental property, and a neighboring commercial site. While NGP and Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity worked on obtaining those properties, Dr. Casson began talking to them about having a downtown community-based shared space for area entrepreneurs.

“These discussions converged, and the idea for a new building on this site evolved,” Ms. Speakman said. “This building is a true collaboration and a great holistic approach to community development, providing homes, economic development, and energizing residents.”

The plans for the CURE Building were solidified by funding support from Central Delaware Habitat, the Welfare Foundation, the Delaware State Housing Authority, the Delaware General Assembly, the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund, the Borkee-Hagley Fund, the Longwood Foundation, the Crestlea Foundation, Crystal Trust, the Marmot Foundation, PNC Bank. TD Bank, Bank of America, Barclays, as well as Congressional funding via U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.

Ms. Speakman said that DSU – also a major funder of the project – will occupy the 2nd floor of the building, where it will provide training and support for community entrepreneur opportunities. The NGP will occupy the first floor to do its affordable housing and community development work.

DSU President Tony Allen told the crowd gathered for the ribbon-cutting event that he credits Dr. Casson and his College of Business team for developing this initiative.