What's Happening?
The Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB) has announced the appointment of two new staff members: Tatiyana Graves as Programs Manager and Kira Manuszak as Sports Tourism Coordinator. Graves will oversee all active DSB programs, ensuring continuity
and identifying opportunities for small businesses to grow across the state. Her background includes program management and community initiatives at Delaware Technical Community College. Manuszak, in her role, will focus on attracting, managing, and retaining sports-related business opportunities for Delaware, working to promote each county as a destination for regional, national, and international sporting events. She previously served as Assistant Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Coach and Athletic Administrative Assistant at the University of Valley Forge. These additions aim to enhance the DSB's capacity to support Delaware's small business community and boost the state's sports tourism sector.
Why It's Important?
These new appointments are significant for Delaware's economic development and small business ecosystem. Tatiyana Graves' role as Programs Manager is crucial for streamlining and optimizing the DSB's support for small businesses, which are vital to the state's economy. By ensuring program continuity and identifying growth opportunities, she can help entrepreneurs access necessary resources, fostering job creation and economic stability. Kira Manuszak's position as Sports Tourism Coordinator is expected to drive increased revenue through sporting events, attracting athletes, teams, and visitors to Delaware. This can boost local economies in various counties, benefiting hospitality, retail, and other related sectors. The strategic expansion of the DSB team underscores a commitment to both nurturing local enterprises and leveraging tourism as an economic engine for the state.
What's Next?
With the new staff in place, the Delaware Division of Small Business is expected to enhance its outreach and support services for entrepreneurs. Tatiyana Graves will likely begin a comprehensive review of existing programs to identify areas for improvement and expansion, potentially leading to new initiatives designed to address specific needs within the small business community. Kira Manuszak will focus on building relationships with sports organizations and promoting Delaware as a premier destination for various sporting events. This could involve developing new marketing campaigns, attending industry conferences, and forging partnerships across the state to secure future events. The DSB will likely monitor the impact of these roles on small business growth metrics and sports tourism revenue in the coming months.
Beyond the Headlines
The expansion of the Delaware Division of Small Business reflects a broader trend in state-level economic development strategies, emphasizing specialized roles to address distinct economic drivers. The creation of a dedicated Programs Manager role highlights the increasing complexity of supporting diverse small business needs, moving beyond general assistance to more structured, long-term program management. Similarly, the focus on sports tourism with a dedicated coordinator indicates a recognition of niche markets as significant economic contributors. This strategic specialization could serve as a model for other states looking to maximize their economic potential by tailoring support to specific sectors. It also underscores the evolving understanding of how state agencies can effectively foster economic resilience and growth through targeted expertise.
