Committee of 100 returns to Wilmington in CSC Station spot

October 31, 2024 3

WILMINGTON — The Committee of 100 has moved its offices to the CSC Station on the Riverfront, returning to Wilmington after years of operating out of space on the Stanton Christiana Road.

The Committee of 100 is a non-partisan, nonprofit association of Delaware business leaders that works to promote responsible economic development and address issues that affect the state’s economic health. The organization moved out of the city in 2020 to 527 Stanton Christiana Road — sharing space with the Delaware Contractors Association— as a way to be more accessible to neighbors as well as cutting costs.

But recently, the CSC station signed a one-year lease with the Committee of 100 which focuses heavily on land use issues.

Committee of 100 Executive Director Elizabeth Keller told the Delaware Business Times that while their time as neighbors with the DCA offered great opportunities to forge bonds with key members, it was time to move a little closer to where the action is.

“I really noticed the desire to be back in the city and closer to where the [city and New Castle County] meetings are. It’s also great timing as we’re going through multiple administration changes,” Keller said, referencing Delaware’s incoming governor come January and New Castle County’s new executive while outgoing Gov. John Carney becomes the presumptive Wilmington Mayor-elect.

While the former Committee of 100 office on Stanton Christiana Road provided ease of access to the legislative hall in Dover, the group will now be within a half hour from the New Castle County government offices and minutes from the Louis Redding building.

“I’ve personally wanted to be a part of the CSC Station since they opened, and they’ve been one of our members for years,” she added. “This is the first chance we had to move and they had a dedicated office space we could move into.”

The CSC Station is the Corporation Service Company’s investment in Wilmington’s Riverfront, with 43,000-square-feet across six floors and space for rising and established companies. Since it opened quietly in 2021, the CSC Station offers space of various sizes to individuals and companies without long-term agreements, or others who just need a spot to work with a laptop and a cup of coffee.

Tenants and those with a membership can enjoy lounge spaces, private phone booths, the library or the social cafe.

“We’re thrilled to have the added energy of the Committee of 100 at CSC Station, as they’re a nonpartisan leader focused on promoting responsible economic development and addressing key public policy issues in New Castle County and throughout the state of Delaware,” CSC Vice President Scott Malfitano said. He previously oversaw renovations for the former train station and is a key overseer in the site today.

As office workers start to ease more in the office this year, Keller told the Delaware Business Times that in-person work may be more beneficial to the Committee of 100’s future in the new era of Delaware.

“We’re right next door to the Social Cafe, so we have a great view of any folks just coming through. It’s really a great marketing tool being here,” she said. “I’m incredibly appreciative of the team, and it’s been an incredible journey from being a member to a new tenant. It has everything you need from day one.”