Governor Chafee Celebrates Opening of Nina’s House for Rhode Island Families

Governor Chafee celebrated the opening of Nina’s House, a property purchased by the Nina Foundation to provide a welcoming space for families to rebuild relationships, on February 15.

The Nina Foundation was established in 2003 in memory of “Nina” Sullivan Bertuglio by her family to offer support to children in need. Nina dedicated her life to her family and to helping children, and members of her family started the Nina Foundation to honor her legacy.

“I want to thank the Nina Foundation for all of their excellent work on behalf of young people and families throughout our state, and for making Nina’s House possible. I am sure that Nina Sullivan Bertuglio would be very proud of her family and proud to see the accomplishment that we are celebrating today – this fantastic homelike space where families can spend time together,” said Governor Chafee at the event.

Governor Chafee Tours Expanding Rhode Island Business

On February 15, Governor Chafee toured Rhode Island business PolyWorks, Inc., a North Smithfield-based company that has grown from 34 employees to 90 employees in just one year. PolyWorks, Inc. manufactures a range of products made from foams, gels, and adhesives.

The company is planning to move from two twelve-hour shifts to three twelve-hour shifts in order to keep up with product demand. The Governor, who toured the facility along with representatives from the Governor’s Workforce Board and the Department of Labor and Training, met with employees of PolyWorks, Inc. as they worked.

“The success of Rhode Island businesses like PolyWorks, Inc. sends a positive message for the future of our state’s economic development,” said Governor Chafee.

The Governor has made a commitment to the kind of job creation that PolyWorks, Inc. has demonstrated and will continue to make it a priority in his administration.

Governor Chafee Announces Central Falls Cost Reductions and Increased Efficiency

On February 13, Governor Chafee announced that after stabilizing Central Falls’ municipal finances, the Office of the Receiver is now pursuing additional cost reductions and increased operational efficiency through the consolidation of municipal functions and shared services between the City and the Central Falls School District.

State-appointed Receiver Robert G. Flanders, Jr. signed an order on February 13 creating the Department of Administration and Finance, an office of shared services that will oversee and coordinate all finance and administrative functions.

“As Central Falls eliminates duplicated services and tightens up operational efficiency, it also sends a message to other cities struggling both within Rhode Island and beyond, that consolidation and regionalization of services are vital steps on the road to recovery,” said Governor Chafee.

Governor Celebrates First Class of Special Olympics Rhode Island Hall of Fame Inductees

On February 9, Special Olympics Rhode Island held an induction ceremony and dinner to honor its first class of inductees to the 2012 Inaugural Hall of Fame. Special Olympics Rhode Island provides sports training and athletic competition for 2,700 Rhode Islanders with intellectual disabilities.

“Tonight’s charter class should feel very proud for all they have done and continue to do for the Special Olympics, and I look forward to this Hall of Fame continuing to grow with outstanding inductees in the years ahead,” said Governor Chafee at the event.

The Governor spoke about how traditionally, for most sports halls of fame, the members of the first class of honorees – the “charter class” – are giants of the sport. He described how Baseball’s charter class, for example, included Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson.

Governor Chafee, General Assembly, RI Black & Latino Caucus Celebrate Black History Month at State House

Rep. Anastasia Williams, Chair of both the House
Labor Committee and the Black & Latino Caucus, is pictured
with Governor Chafee 

Governor Chafee attended the 3rd Annual Joint Legislative Black History Month Celebration, titled “Hope, Unity, and Action,” on February 8. The program featured keynote speaker Corey D. B. Walker, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Africana Studies at Brown University.

At the event, the Governor spoke about the important contributions African Americans have made to Rhode Island over the centuries. As the Governor noted, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, composed largely of African American soldiers, played a key role in winning the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War. The Regiment is credited with saving the American line and widely believed to be the first African-American military regiment.

In the Year of Cities and Towns, Governor Leads Efforts to Aid Ailing Capital City

Last week, Governor Chafee organized a meeting with Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons and Mayor Angel Taveras at the State House to discuss solutions to the city’s fiscal crisis. Governor Chafee announced that he will file an amicus brief with the Rhode Island Supreme Court in support of the City of Providence’s efforts to move retirees into Medicare. Filing the brief will be the Governor’s latest action in his ongoing efforts to strengthen Rhode Island’s cities and towns.

“Given Providence’s dire fiscal condition, the reasonable and necessary measures Providence has already undertaken, and the important implications for the entire state involved in this case, I have decided to file an amicus brief with the Rhode Island Supreme Court articulating the state’s significant interests in this matter. The outcome of this case will not only affect Providence, but potentially all municipal and state efforts to achieve fiscal health through needed reforms,” Governor Chafee said.

American Hockey League’s 2013 All-Star Weekend to be Held in Providence, Will Spur Rhode Island Economy

Governor Chafee joined with officals from the City of Providence, The Dunkin’ Donuts Center, and the Providence Bruins to announce that Providence will host the American Hockey League’s 2013 Dunkin’ Donuts All-Star Weekend. Governor Chafee spoke about the benefits of the event for Rhode Island’s tourism and hospitality industry.

The Governor highlighted that the event will draw visitors from all over the country and as far as Canada to enjoy the weekend-long spectacle.

Governor Announces Energy Technology Company to Relocate to Rhode Island, Creating Forty-Seven High-Paying Jobs

At last week’s Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Meeting, the Board of Directors, led by the Governor, approved a $500,000 Renewable Energy Fund loan to Washington state based PCS Utilidata, Inc. The loan will allow PCS Utilidata to relocate to the state and bring an estimated 8 to 15 jobs in 2012. By 2015, the company plans to have 47 full-time employees in Rhode Island, with an average annual salary of around $91,000.

“Utilidata is exactly the type of company we want to attract to relocate and expand in Rhode Island, bringing high-paying jobs to our state. I am pleased to welcome Utilidata to Rhode Island and look forward to their contributions to our growing knowledge economy,” Governor Chafee said.

Following the approval of the loan, in an effort to streamline the process for energy policy initiatives, Governor Chafee proposed that the Renewable Energy Fund be brought under the supervision of the Office of Energy Resources. The fund totals approximately $5.8 million and is designed to foster new business growth in the state and encourage businesses to use sustainable energy practices. The Governor believes that consolidating these efforts under the Office of Energy Resources will help these processes move more expeditiously.

Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education Votes to Move Forward with Achievement First

On February 2, the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education voted to allow Achievement First to open its first school in Rhode Island. Achievement First currently operates 20 schools in New York and Connecticut and has been working to expand into Rhode Island.

The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2013, and plans to enroll students through a lottery system. The school will give special consideration to children from low-income families.

Click here to read additional coverage of the meeting.

Governor Chafee and Quebec Government Representative Discuss Business Opportunities

On February 1, Governor Chafee met with Quebec Delegate to New England Jean-Stephane Bernard and discussed opportunities to further strengthen business ties between Rhode Island and the Canadian province.

Among the ideas discussed was the possibility of exporting hydro electric power from Quebec to reduce Rhode Island energy costs. Rhode Island Companies such as Toray Plastics, for example, spend millions on electricity each year. Hydroelectric power could significantly reduce energy costs for Toray and other Rhode Island businesses.

The Governor believes the relationship with Quebec will continue to be an important one as Rhode Island develops its knowledge economy. Approximately $500 million is generated annually from the trade relationship between Rhode Island and Quebec, but states such as Vermont and New Hampshire are at $1 billion, while Massachusetts and Connecticut are at $2 billion. Governor Chafee views this discrepancy as potential for the relationship between Rhode Island and Quebec to grow even stronger.

Governor Delivers State of the State Address: “The Year of the Cities and Towns”

“The status quo is unacceptable,” said Governor Chafee in his 2012 combined State of the State and Budget Address. “Everything good occurs when our people are working.” The Governor delivered his speech at a Joint Session of the House and Senate, also attended by members of the Judiciary, municipal leaders, general officers, education officials, and citizens on Tuesday night.

The Governor’s remarks, titled “The Year of the Cities and Towns,” emphasized his commitment to investing in the future through education funding and relief for the Rhode Island property taxpayer through state aid to cities and towns. 

“I am proud to announce tonight that my budget maintains my commitment to education, while also reducing the financial burden on Rhode Island property taxpayers. My budget devotes nearly $40 million in additional education funding to cities and towns,” Governor Chafee said.

Governor Chafee Hosts Electronic Town Hall for Rhode Island Retirees and Taxpayers

Chief of Staff George Zainyeh, Director of Revenue Rosemary Booth
 Gallogly, and Governor Chafee take calls during the electronic town hall

In the latest example of Governor Chafee's continued and sustained efforts to address Rhode Island's municipal challenges and to provide retirement security for employees and retirees and property tax relief to Rhode Islanders, the Governor hosted an electronic town hall for retirees and taxpayers on Thursday, January 26.

"Too often, retirees and taxpayers do not get the opportunity to voice their concerns and share their ideas on the issues and decisions that affect them. This town hall is a way to speak directly with Rhode Islanders and hear their input and their solutions, as well as a chance for me to answer questions about these critical issues. As my Administration works to address the financial challenges of our municipalities, we do so with the best interest of retirees and taxpayers at heart. The feedback I will hear on Thursday will be valuable as we move toward lasting solutions that will help cities and towns better serve Rhode Islanders," Governor Chafee said.

Governor Chafee Hosts T.F. Green Airport Event: "Rhode Island is a great place to do business"

"The smallest state in the nation has always been one of the country's biggest leaders." So begins a positive 15-page feature profile about Rhode Island in Delta Air Lines' in-flight Sky magazine, which reaches an estimated 5 million readers each month. Governor Chafee highlighted the profile at a three-pronged press event at T.F. Green Airport emphasizing some of the ways in which Rhode Island is a great place to do business. In addition to the Delta Sky piece, the Governor announced a new partnership between the Governor's Office, the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT), the RI Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), and the City of Warwick to grow and promote the Warwick Station Development District, and also showcased RIDOT's new interactive kiosk and screens that make using the InterLink and intermodal station easier and more convenient for business and leisure travelers.

Governor Chafee was joined by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, RIEDC Executive Director Keith Stokes, RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis, local business and governmental leaders, and Delta Air Lines officials for the event at the Warwick InterLink.

Governor Chafee Hosts Community Small Business Outreach Forums

Continuing his efforts to address the fiscal challenges of Rhode Island's cities and towns, Governor Chafee, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and municipal leaders, hosted three community forums. The goal of the forums, held between January 11 and January 13, was to hear from local small businesses and discuss ways to help them succeed, grow the economy, and create jobs for Rhode Islanders.

The Governor was joined at the forums by mayors and municipal leaders from Pawtucket, Cranston, and West Warwick, as well as representatives of the RIEDC and SBA.

Governor Chafee Says New Electric Boat Facility at Quonset Will Benefit RI Economy, Create Jobs

Governor Chafee celebrated the opening of a new waterfront facility for General Dynamics Electric Boat, one of Rhode Island's premier employers, on January 10. Electric Boat employs 2,200 workers at its Quonset Point Facility and around 1,500 Rhode Islanders at its Groton location.

The new facility at Quonset point will allow Electric Boat, a manufacturing firm that builds submarines, to construct two submarines per year as opposed to one. Electric Boat has a $14 billion multiyear contract with the U.S. Navy to build submarines and is a key player in Rhode Island's defense industry, which has an overall economic impact of almost $2 billion.

Governor Names Theresa C. Murray as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency

Theresa Murra

Governor Chafee announced his appointment of Theresa C. Murray as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) on January 6. She replaces J. David Smith, who retired in June to pursue a career in academia.

"As we saw with the floods of 2010, disasters or crises can strike Rhode Island at any time with little or no notice," Governor Chafee said. "With that in mind, it is essential that RIEMA's Executive Director be a proven leader who can perform under the most trying circumstances. Theresa Murray certainly fits that description. Throughout her extensive law enforcement and emergency management career, she has demonstrated the ability to accomplish her objectives with excellence and to motivate those around her. I am confident that Theresa Murray will ensure that RIEMA is not only prepared to protect Rhode Islanders in any possible scenario, but that it is proactive in its emergency management initiatives, as well."