Collaborative broadens future research scope, receives new funding

THE COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY Research Collaborative released six new studies Tuesday.
THE COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY Research Collaborative released six new studies Tuesday.

PROVIDENCE – The College & University Research Collaborative is receiving new funding, broadening the scope of future research and releasing six new studies Tuesday.
Researchers will be available to discuss their studies at 5 p.m. at the Rhode Island Foundation, but there is no formal presentation, said Collaborative Program Director Amber Caulkins.
One of the new studies is entitled, “Good For Business: How States Can be More Business Friendly.” Ramesh Mohan, associate professor of economics at Bryant University, finds after examining the causes, effects and potential solutions to Rhode Island’s challenging business environment, that a targeted approach to promoting local businesses could foster a better environment and boost jobs and economic growth.
A multi-pronged approach could include reducing the regulatory and tax burden on businesses; a one-stop center and website for entrepreneurs; improving the quality of the workforce and creating a special economic zone or enterprise zone an area like Quonset Business Park or the Exit 8 strip on Interstate 295, Mohan said.
“By offering tax incentives, relaxed regulations, and other business-friendly policies to companies that operate in these zones, states can attract foreign investment and fuel job growth,” he wrote.
The collaborative has won a third round of funding, including $97,500 from the Rhode Island Foundation and $82,500 from the 11 participating college and universities. The funding will enable the organization to commission another round of research and to expand its network of subject experts from academia. The collaborative tackles topics identified by state policy makers in the offices of the governor, speaker of the house and senate president to generate data for informed economic policy decisions.
This year, topics covered regional competitiveness, workforce, manufacturing and infrastructure. Next year, manufacturing will be dropped and four areas added to the remaining three: higher education, social services, municipal services and energy.
“By helping Rhode Island policy-makers access the research they need to make smart, data-driven decisions, the collaborative is playing a crucial role in Rhode Island’s economic comeback,” Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said in a prepared statement.
Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed added, “No ‘think tank’ could compete with the diversity and depth of expertise that we have been able to tap into through the collaborative. Our thanks to everyone involved, especially the Rhode Island Foundation for turning this vision into a reality.”
The other studies include:
“Millennials on the Move: Attracting Young Workers through Better Transportation,” by Assistant Professor Jonathan Harris of Johnson & Wales University;
“Improving Infrastructure through Public Private Partnerships,” by Amine Ghanem, a construction management faculty member at Roger Williams University;
“Choosing a Health Exchange for Rhode Island” by Jessica Mulligan, assistant professor of health policy and management at Providence College;
“What States Need to Foster Innovation and Economic Growth” by Joseph Roberts, associate professor of policy and international relations at Roger Williams University; and
“Rhode Island’s Maker-Related Assets,” by Dawn Edmondson and Susan Gorelick, of New England Institute of Technology, and Beth Mosher of Rhode Island School of Design.
The newly released research adds to the 12 previously released briefs over the past year.

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