Cutting through the Red Tape: Governor Chafee Announces New Program that Fast Tracks Business Expansion to Create Jobs

Pre-Permitting "Pad Ready" Program at Quonset Business Park a Model for a Larger "RI-Ready" Demonstration Project

Building on a recent initiatives at Quonset and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) to make it easier to do business and improve regulatory and permitting processes in Rhode Island, Governor Chafee joined with state officials and local business leaders to launch two innovative site readiness programs aimed at fast-tracking land parcels for development, business expansion and job growth.

In March, Governor Chafee and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Board of Directors adopted a focused yet flexible work plan aimed at streamlining state and local regulatory processes to save companies time and money and accelerate the creation of jobs, while protecting the health, safety and quality of life for Rhode Island’s citizens. “Helping businesses cut through the red tape with an easy to understand and predictable regulatory system is key to making Rhode Island an attractive place for companies to invest. These site readiness programs will keep Rhode Island ahead of the marketplace, anticipating what businesses need to keep growing here or come to our state and create more jobs,” Governor Chafee said. “By state agencies and municipalities working together to make it easier for companies to expand or relocate here, we will be able to continue to move our economy forward and be competitive.”

$4.2 Million in Recreational Development Grants Awarded to Twenty-Three Rhode Island Communities

Governor and DEM Director Janet Coit Announce Recipients

Governor Chafee and the Department of Environmental Management announced the awarding of $4.216 million in open space recreational development matching grants for 35 projects in 23 communities across the state last week. The grants will fund a variety of projects benefiting Rhode Island cities and towns from Woonsocket to Westerly, including new basketball, tennis, and horseshoe courts; skate parks; sports fields; handicap docks; a nature trail; restrooms; and various site improvements.

“Today’s grants will provide new and expanded opportunities for Rhode Islanders of all ages in urban, suburban, and rural communities to participate in physical activity,” said Governor Chafee. “As a former Mayor, I know how important these bond funds are to our cities and towns because they will help our communities provide and maintain clean, safe, and attractive local parks and recreation facilities for their residents to enjoy.”

“DEM is delighted to award these grants that will help expand and improve the recreational opportunities available to Rhode Islanders in neighborhoods across the state,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “The wide range of projects funded by the grants will help enhance the quality of life in local communities and ensure a beautiful Rhode Island and healthy Rhode Islanders.”

All of the grants have been awarded from state funds and represent the last round of grants from the state’s 2008 Open Space and Recreation Development Bond Authorization along with remaining funds from other recreational bond issues. The grants will provide 50 percent of funding to acquire, develop, or renovate outdoor recreation facilities. Categories include large grants which range from $75,000 up to $200,000 each, and small grants of up to $75,000 each for projects of smaller cost. The state grants will be matched by local bond funds and federal grants to generate $10.575 million in recreational project improvements throughout Rhode Island.

These grants will enhance the state's efforts to preserve open space by establishing a diverse group of recreational facilities. The grants provide $958,734 in funding for 16 small recreation development projects including the development of new fields and courts at Corliss Park and Pastore Park in Providence; construction of a handicap dock on the Pawtuxet River in West Warwick; and renovation and upgrade of basketball courts, playground equipment and fields at Silver Spring Playground in East Providence.

The grants will also provide $2,249,895 in funding for 13 large urban and suburban projects including development of a sport complex and construction of new basketball, tennis and horseshoe courts in Bristol; installation of new football turf, lighting and site improvements at Tucker Athletic Complex in Cumberland; and waterfront improvements, restrooms and a parking overlook at Canal Street Park in Westerly.

Also awarded was $1,008,050 in parkland grants to six communities to acquire 137 acres of land that will be used for park development. This includes 115 waterfront acres for the Hall/Seaman’s Waterfront Project in Coventry; 15 acres for park development at Camp Meehan in North Providence; and five acres for construction of four new fields at Glocester Memorial Park in Glocester.

The Rhode Island Recreation Resources Review Committee selected the 35 projects from a total of 44 applications. DEM is administering the grants.

Local Business Expands with Help from Policies Enacted by Governor and RIEDC

Governor Chafee’s Focus on Providing Better Access to Capital is Helping Companies Grow

On the heels of a recent move by Governor Chafee and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Board of Directors to provide better access to financing for Rhode Island businesses, the Governor joined company management and employees in East Providence to celebrate the continued growth of Infusion Resource, LLC. The Rhode Island healthcare company is adding 13 new jobs with the help of a $250,000 loan from the RIEDC’s Small Business Loan Fund.

Statement from Governor Chafee: Proposed Pay Raises "Unacceptable"

I strongly object to this contract proposal, which would provide a 3% compounded raise for 3 years at a time when other state employees are making daily financial sacrifice, when taxpayers of our state are under severe strain, and when families with students attending our public institutions of higher education are facing tuition increases of 9.5% at URI, 7.5% at CCRI, and 4% at RIC.

It’s not that these fine faculty and staff members don’t deserve a raise, but when other state employees have seen their COLAs cut and their pensions altered, this is an issue of basic fairness and common sense.

Twenty-Nine of Rhode Island’s Cities and Towns Sign on to Governor’s Plan to Save Municipalities

Read the Governor’s Recent Providence Journal Op-Ed Urging Rhode Islanders to Support Municipal Reform and Relief:

As I stood in Pawtucket City Hall recently with municipal leaders from across Rhode Island, I couldn’t imagine a more fitting place to announce a legislative package that would empower local officials to help get their communities back on sound financial footing. Pawtucket, the city that launched the American Industrial Revolution, is symbolic of so many of our state’s communities — a once-thriving leader of industry that in recent years has endured hard times.

 A glance at the morning headlines, which recently included Woonsocket’s school-budget crisis, Providence’s downgraded bond rating and the ongoing issues in Central Falls, serves as a dire warning that municipal reform and relief can wait no more. We can no longer let our cities and towns run the risk of falling into bankruptcy, one by one.

 Consider that in Central Falls, residents have lost their independence, seen their services cut and suffered another property-tax increase. They have watched as their friends, neighbors and family members have had their pensions marginalized — citizens such as the Central Falls police officer who retired as a lieutenant with a $28,968 annual pension. Under the new rules imposed by receivership, this modest pension has been cut to a barely livable $13,035.

Municipal Strategy Session: Governor Hosts Forum for City and Town Leaders to Discuss Reform and Relief Package

Governor Chafee hosted a Municipal Strategy Session for Rhode Island’s municipal leaders yesterday at the State House. Representatives of 25 of the state’s 39 cities and towns attended the meeting, where discussion focused on the legislative package of municipal reform and relief measures Governor Chafee has introduced in the General Assembly. The Governor’s legislative package will empower communities to take the necessary steps to achieve fiscal health and offer relief from costly and burdensome state mandates.

“I am always pleased to welcome Rhode Island’s local leaders to the State House for a productive discussion on how best to put our communities on a path to fiscal health and prosperity. As we work to address the crisis in our cities and towns, the collaboration and partnership of municipal leaders is essential. The reform and relief package I have submitted to the legislature will empower communities to use the tools they need to achieve fiscal stability, and I am pleased to have the support of the overwhelming majority of municipal executives across the state,” Governor Chafee said.

Call to Action: Governor’s Web Video Urges Support for Municipal Reform and Relief Package

Governor Chafee released a web video last week urging support for his legislative package of municipal reforms and illustrating the severity of the fiscal crisis facing Rhode Island’s cities and towns.

The video, “Governor Chafee’s Plan to Save Our Cities and Towns,” provides background information about how this crisis came about, a list of the key measures included in the Governor’s legislative package, and supportive comments from several state and local officials and media outlets.

It also provides a link to a new website, http://www.governor.ri.gov/stoptheclock, where Rhode Islanders can review the Governor’s proposed legislation and send messages to their state legislators and municipal council members, urging support for these critically important bills.