Raimondo: ‘Clear progress’ in attracting businesses to state

GOV. GINA M. Raimondo on Tuesday defended her track record of attracting outside businesses to Rhode Island, saying her efforts are ongoing and that results take time. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
GOV. GINA M. Raimondo on Tuesday defended her track record of attracting outside businesses to Rhode Island, saying her efforts are ongoing and that results take time. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo on Tuesday defended her track record of attracting outside businesses to Rhode Island, saying her efforts are ongoing and that results take time.
The first-term Democrat, now in her second year, responded to a variety of questions raised during a lunch with reporters at the R.I. Department of Administration. Questions varied in topic, but were largely focused on issues surrounding economic development, including where she stands in her efforts to attract outside companies to the state.
“I’m still working on it,” she said. “These things take time.”
Raimondo, who’s long advocated that attracting outside business helps grow local economies, has had some success through her nearly 15 months in office, but results haven’t come in any big way.
In November, Raimondo heralded the arrival of Lighting Science Group Corp., a LED lighting company, which moved its headquarters and 10 jobs from Melbourne, Fla., to West Warwick.
Last month, Trade Area Systems Inc. received $500,000 in state tax credits to move its headquarters from Attleboro to Providence and bring with it an estimated 38 jobs into the state.
But beyond the two companies there hasn’t been much else to speak of publicly. Although, as Raimondo points out, it may be too early in her tenure to start counting results just yet.
“I think it’s unreasonable to expect all of a sudden we’re going to have everyone rushing to get in,” Raimondo said. “But I think you see clear progress.”
The governor says she continues to pitch Cambridge-based companies to move south and is looking for opportunities benefit from economic impact General Electric Co. will have regionally when it moves its headquarters to Boston.
“We’re pitching ourselves as a suburb of Boston,” Raimondo said. “If all the top brass are going to be in Boston, how about some back offices or some IT support in Providence? It’s a heck of a lot less expensive to live here.”

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