E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., the chemicals and plastics giant, established a gunpowder plant near Wilmington in 1802. Today more than 300,000 companies are incorporated in Delaware, which offers a business-friendly community. The favorable business climate has particularly spurred growth in banking and financial services. In 1971, in an effort to protect beaches and wetlands, the state legislature passed the nation's first coastal-zone act, banning waterfront industries that pollute.