Governor Attends Annual National Governor’s Association Meeting

This past weekend, Governor Chafee attended the National Governor’s Association meeting, held in Washington, D.C. Governors from across the United States gathered to discuss topics such as the economy, health care, education, and other issues facing states. Governor Chafee is a member of the Health and Human Services Committee.

Part of the conference included a visit with President Obama at the White House. While at the meeting, the Governor took a few minutes to speak with Bloomberg News about the difficult fiscal situation facing cities and towns in Rhode Island. Read the full article from Bloomberg News.

Advancing Offshore Wind Energy Development: “Smart from the Start” Initiative Announced

"I am excited about this announcement today as we move forward with offshore wind energy," said Governor Chafee. "Rhode Island is one of the leading states in the country in advancing offshore wind energy development. I am also pleased that state and federal officials are identifying the valuable fishing habitats within the Area of Mutual Interest being discussed for these offshore wind projects. There are important fishing habitats within those waters, that need to be protected for the fishing and recreational community. As we move forward with these projects it is important that a strong dialogue continue with federal officials, fishing and recreational community, environmentalist, and the offshore wind industry."

For more details, read the full release.

$1 Million in Funding for Regional and Local Planning Initiatives Announced by Governor

Fifteen regional and local planning projects will receive approximately $1 million under the Statewide Planning Program’s Planning Challenge Grant Program, Governor Chafee announced on February 23 at a public ceremony in the Atrium Gallery of the Department of Administration. Selected from 33 proposals requesting over $2.3 million, the 15 projects slated for funding come from a variety of project sponsors and propose innovative solutions to address land use and transportation issues faced by Rhode Island communities.

“These Challenge Grants represent a creative use of Federal funds to help Rhode Island cities and towns to plan for their future growth and development. They include projects of statewide significance, such as the Warwick Station Development District, to projects more local in scale, such as the Woonsocket Main Street Livability Plan, and the joint collaboration between Pawtucket and Central Falls. Through this partnership with our local governments and non profit agencies, we are working together to advance both state and local initiatives in transportation, land use, and economic development,” Governor Chafee said.

February 23, 2012

February 23, 2012, a photo by rigovernor on Flickr.

Governor Chafee announced fifteen regional and local planning projects that will receive approximately $1 million under the Statewide Planning Program’s Planning Challenge Grant Program. Martina Haggerty, principal planner, and Bonnie Nickerson, director of long range planning, accepted a grant award on behalf of Providence.

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President Obama Names Governor National Co-Chair of 2012 Re-Election Campaign

President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have named Governor Chafee as a co-chair of their 2012 re-election campaign. The Governor was selected as one of thirty-five campaign co-chairs – a list that includes supporters such as former Whitehouse Chief of Staff and current Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel, actress Eva Longoria, and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

The President and Governor Chafee have been friendly since their days in the U.S. Senate. When Vice President Biden visited Rhode Island on February 23, he thanked Governor Chafee for his support and expressed both his and the President’s gratitude to the Governor for co-chairing the campaign.

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