Changing the Way Rhode Island Does Business: Governor Chafee Releases New Web Video Highlighting Ongoing Progress in Rhode Island

On the heels of the announcement that JetBlue will begin service at T.F. Green airport, Governor Lincoln Chafee releases “Changing the Way Rhode Island Does Business,” a web video highlighting recent progress that has been made despite the many challenges facing our state. While recognizing that “going forward, we still have more work to do,” the Governor reaffirms his belief that focusing on the fundamentals – most notably, getting our fiscal house in order – will bring renewed economic growth to Rhode Island.

 

“We have our challenges. We want to be more business friendly and we work at that every day.”

http://youtu.be/DLqFfOg45Wk

Statement from Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Regarding the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation

Yesterday, Keith Stokes offered his resignation as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), which I accepted.

I thank Keith for his service to Rhode Island, not only at the helm of the EDC, but also as a former Board member of that agency and as the long-time Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce.

Keith is committed to seeing Rhode Island succeed and I am confident that he will continue to be very involved in the state he loves.

Statement Regarding 38 Studios

A check from 38 Studios was hand-delivered to the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation at approximately 5 o’clock this evening. However, upon learning from the Chief Financial Officer of 38 Studios that there were insufficient funds to cover the payment, the check was returned. The EDC remains willing to accept readily available funds.

Statement from Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Regarding the En Banc Opinion of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals

After reviewing the 1^st Circuit Court of Appeals en banc opinion, and weighing the state’s considerable interests, I have decided to appeal the 1^st Circuit’s decision. Given the close vote of the full court, which demonstrates a genuine split in the interpretation of the law, the State of Rhode Island must seek to protect both the strong states’ rights issues at stake and the legitimacy of its longstanding public policy against the death penalty. My in-house legal staff has been handling this case and will continue to do so as part of their routine duties at no additional cost to the taxpayers of Rhode Island.

The National Governors Association, which represents the Governors of all 50 states, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and the American Civil Liberties Union all stood with Rhode Island in the appeal before the 1^st Circuit, and their support is indicative of the state’s strong position.

As I have said throughout this long process, I regret that each time this case appears in the news it causes further pain for the Main family. I extend once again my most sincere condolences to them for their terrible loss, which resulted from such a senseless crime.

Supporting Rhode Island Small Businesses in South Kingstown

Governor Chafee recently toured three Rhode Island businesses as part of his continued effort to make it easier to do business in the state. The Governor visited The Farmer’s Daughter, the Education Exchange, and Pier Cleaners, all located in South Kingstown.

Each of the three small businesses offers unique services for Rhode Islanders. The Farmer’s Daughter is a revolutionary garden center located on a 15 acre farm and is part of the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association. The Education Exchange provides GED preparation, literacy, and work readiness programs to adult students. Pier Cleaners is an environmentally-friendly dry cleaner that recycles hangers and plastic bags and bans the use of Perchloroethylene, a cancer-causing agent.

These companies represent the diverse, innovative spirit of Rhode Island small businesses. The Governor has emphasized the importance of small business to Rhode Island’s economy. Over the past several months, he has hosted numerous community forums designed to promote the tools available at the state level to help businesses and to give owners an opportunity to voice their concerns. He has also taken steps to make it easier to do business in the state by eliminating excessive red tape through his role as chair of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.

During each visit, the Governor took a tour of the business to see its daily operations. Following the tour, the Governor spoke with owners and staff and listened to their questions and concerns about doing business in Rhode Island. Each business owner relayed to the Governor the adjustments they made to adapt to the changing economy and their continued commitment to provide important services to their community.

Providing Better Access to Capital and Improving Regulatory Processes for Rhode Island Businesses: Governor Chafee Leads EDC Board’s Important Decision

Focusing on two key job growth priorities, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Board of Directors, led by Governor Chafee, voted to adopt focused yet flexible work plans that help Rhode Island businesses gain better access to financing and streamline state and local regulatory processes to save companies time and money.

The RIEDC Board’s subcommittees on ‘Access to Capital’ and ‘Making it Easier to Do Business’ have been working over the past several months with members of Rhode Island’s business community, federal, state and local officials and other public and private economic development stakeholders to develop their respective work plans. The goal was to identify the best ways to help existing Rhode Island companies or businesses looking to relocate to the state succeed and create quality jobs. Each establishes a clear, adaptable and measurable set of action steps to improve the state’s business climate and accelerate job growth.

Governor Celebrates Reading Week at Local Elementary Schools

Governor Chafee has been visiting elementary schools as part of Reading Week, an annual event held in elementary schools across Rhode Island. During the designated reading weeks, elected officials and other members of the community visit local schools and read to students. The Governor has participated in Reading Week events at Quidnessett Elementary School, Meadowbrook Elementary School, Garvin Memorial School, and Cumberland Hill Elementary School. He also plans to visit Oakland Beach School. K-12 education funding was a key priority in Governor Chafee’s proposed fiscal year 2013 budget.