Why Should Delaware Care?Delaware City’s drive to develop Fort DuPont turn what was once protected state park land into a RV park is fueled in part by the need to make up over 10% of the city’s budget over the next decade as the nearby Delaware City refinery phases out a payment in lieu of taxes agreement that has provided the city’s coffers with millions over the years.
For nearly two decades, the refinery on the outskirts of Delaware City has paid the local government millions of dollars in exchange for officials promising not to annex the massive industrial complex.
This year, a $300,000 “voluntary contribution” from the Delaware City Refining Company as part of that agreement accounted for nearly 14% of the town’s 2026 budget…