RhodeMap RI announces hearings on economic development plan

GOV. LINCOLN CHAFEE is encouraging Rhode Islanders to comment on the draft economic development plan, a product of the RhodeMap RI initiative. / PBN FILE PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS
GOV. LINCOLN CHAFEE is encouraging Rhode Islanders to comment on the draft economic development plan, a product of the RhodeMap RI initiative. / PBN FILE PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

PROVIDENCE – The public is invited to review and comment on the state’s draft economic development plan, a product of the RhodeMap RI initiative.
Two public hearings are planned: Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. in conference room A, second floor, in the Department of Administration’s building, One Capitol Hill, and Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at North Kingstown Senior Center, 44 Beach St., North Kingstown.
Hearings will begin with a half-hour informational presentation followed by an opportunity for public comment.
The Division of Planning’s statewide planning program, working with the R.I. Commerce Corporation (Commerce RI), is responsible for development of this plan. It also was developed with public and private stakeholder participation, as well as state and federal agency collaboration.
The economic development plan contains goals, policies, strategies, implementation actions and performance measures for Rhode Island’s economic development program over the next 20 years.
The plan also can be viewed at the RhodeMap RI website, www.rhodemapri.org/edplan. In addition, copies are available for public inspection at the program’s office, One Capitol Hill, third floor, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Anyone can present their views on the draft document in person at the two public hearings, through a representative or by filing a written statement to: Melanie Jewett Army, supervising planner, Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908. All comments must be received before 4 p.m. on Oct. 31.
“I encourage interested Rhode Islanders to look at this plan and make a point to be available to attend an upcoming RhodeMap RI comment session to give feedback,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said in a statement. “Our Division of Planning’s staff members heard from a diversity of voices to create this plan. They want you to confirm that these voices are accurately representing all Rhode Islanders. Together we can continue moving our state in the right direction.”
RhodeMap RI is funded with a sustainable communities initiative grant, offered through the Federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a collaboration of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

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  1. This economic development plan is too long, too complicated and will not be read by many Rhode Islanders. Ideas for education reform, tax reform and regulation form would be a better way to go. Economic development depends on an well educated work force and a business climate that allow local companies to grow and prosper.