Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Engages Cities and Towns at a Statewide “Listening Tour”
Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Keith Stokes today launched a statewide “Listening Tour” with Rhode Island communities, local businesses and chambers of commerce. The goals of the tour are to hear first-hand the needs of the local business communities, to ensure coordination of RIEDC services to local business needs and to develop new strategies that streamline RIEDC’s business retention and expansion efforts throughout the state.
“During these challenging economic times, the RIEDC is actively engaging our municipal partners to understand how they are currently utilizing our state economic resources and how we can collaborate on new strategies and tactics,” said RIEDC Executive Director Keith Stokes. “We are committed to getting Rhode Island working again and this outreach effort will bring transparency to the economic development and public/private partnership process.”
The following “Listening Tour” sessions are scheduled:
- Thursday, March 25; 7:30 – 9:00 a.m., Jamestown Chamber Spring Breakfast Meeting (Narragansett Café)
- Tuesday, April 6; 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., East Bay Chamber of Commerce (The Backroad Grille, Bristol)
- Tuesday, April 20; 8:00 – 9:30 p.m., Tri-Chamber (South Kingstown, Narragansett, Charlestown) Meeting (Holiday Inn, Rt. 1, South Kingstown)
- Tuesday, April 27; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., East Providence Chamber of Commerce (Weaver Library)
- Thursday, April 29; 7:30 – 10:00 a.m., Newport County Chamber of Commerce Economic Breakfast (Best Western Mainstay, Newport)
- Friday, April 30; Noon – 1:30 p.m., Westerly Chamber of Commerce
- Tuesday, May 4; 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., North Central Chamber of Commerce
- Wednesday, May 19; 8:30 – 10:00 a.m., Cranston Chamber of Commerce (Webster Bank)
- Tuesday, June 1; 10:30am -12noon, Block Island Chamber of Commerce
- Friday, June 18; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Pawtuxet Valley Chamber of Commerce
The meetings are hosted by local Chambers of Commerce around the state. They are championing the coordination and format of each meeting. Media advisories will be issued prior to each session.
RIEDC’s mission is to create jobs, help companies expand and develop their workforce, and identify opportunities to bring new companies into our state. RIEDC offers a host of programs, both in-house and in collaboration with partner organizations, to support the businesses of Rhode Island and to achieve the goals of job retention and sustainable job growth. www.riedc.com