News Flash

New Castle, DE – Today, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer announced members of New Castle County’s Youth Planning Board (YPB) and outlined their goals for the 2020-2021 school year. Twenty-two students were selected to participate after applying through the County and providing references from their teachers or community leaders.

The YPB is the first of its kind in the state and welcomes young New Castle County residents between the ages of 14-22 in planning and will run annually with cohorts of approximately 20 young people.

“We are excited to welcome a bright, energetic group of students to the Youth Planning Board,” said County Executive Meyer. “These students will be providing critical insight into what they want their county to look like, 5, 10, or 30 years from now.”

County Executive Meyer noted there is a significant need to involve young people in governance generally, and planning specifically, as well as to empower them to advocate for the changes they want to see in their communities. The New Castle County Department of Land Use has led the development of the New Castle County YPB with support from community partners including the University of Delaware, Network Delaware, and the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association. 

The students will engage with professionals to gain knowledge, practical skills, and experience as they contribute their ideas to the next New Castle County Comprehensive Development Plan, [email protected] (more info below). The plan provides guidance for New Castle County’s government decisions regarding the natural and built environment and shapes where we live, work, learn and play. The students meet (virtually) to discuss and organize their ideas around civic engagement, policy, land use, transportation, the environment, housing and more.

The YPB will share their perspective, develop plan recommendations, and champion issues and engagement particularly as relates to other young people during their program. Ultimately, they will present their recommendations to the [email protected] planning team as well as other decision-making bodies, such as the Planning Board and County Council. 

Members will be participating in the upcoming November 18, 2020, [email protected] public forum, which is the culmination of four web workshops, which explored a range of key issues and themes that will continue to be discussed and integrated in the plan. This first public forum will review those themes and provide a forum for community discussion as the first phase of the planning process—direction setting—winds down. 

About [email protected] & 11/18 Public Forum 

New Castle County prepares and adopts a Comprehensive Plan Update every 10 years, with the next plan update due in 2022. This two-year process is community-driven and shapes how we grow and develop as a County. It will guide development and services; shape the communities where we live, work, and play; celebrate our environmental, historical, and cultural assets; and support a robust economy.

On November 18, 2020, the Land Use Department is holding the first of three virtual [email protected] public forums to gather input from the community, which will be used to shape the plan vision and key directions. Further development of the plan will occur through winter and spring 2021 with the draft plan anticipated in late summer 2021.  

Members: