As part of his ongoing efforts to foster job creation in Rhode Island’s knowledge economy, Governor Chafee last week led a panel discussion with experts from venture development organizations that assist companies in entrepreneurial and innovative ventures. Panel participants included Chris Coburn, executive director of Innovations at Cleveland Clinic, Richard Lunak, president and CEO of Innovation Works in Pittsburgh, and Providence native Jeanne Mell, vice president of marketing and communications at the University City Science Center in Philadelphia.
Since taking office, the Governor has visited several cities, including Pittsburgh, to understand how they are capitalizing on assets such as medical and education centers to grow their local economies.
During the discussion, Governor Chafee emphasized the job-creating potential of “meds and eds,” and highlighted the important role they will play in the development of Providence’s Knowledge District.
The Governor moderated the interview-style panel discussion, through which the audience learned more about the strategies these experts have used to help diversify their region’s economy, the challenges they had to overcome, and the level of government involvement in entrepreneurial ventures.
Over fifty leaders from the Rhode Island business community, state and local governments, academic institutions, venture organizations, and the medical and research fields attended the luncheon and panel.
