RhodeMap RI is just one step down road to state progress

Rhode Island state government is taking a proactive approach, giving every citizen the opportunity to shape our state’s special quality of life by becoming involved in RhodeMap RI. This strategy plan, focused on growing where we live, work, play and travel, will determine a state vision for the next decade and beyond.
Already, RhodeMap RI is concentrating on developing broad-based agendas addressing specific areas, including land use, housing, infrastructure and local community zoning, tied to what we must have to attract new business, keep jobs and grow existing industries. These sectors include: agriculture, arts and culture, financial services, life sciences, manufacturing, technology, transportation and travel and tourism.
However, I strongly feel there are some critical areas in which RhodeMap RI must challenge that thinking in order to make our state and communities vibrant for economic development. Emphasizing education, empowerment, enlightenment and entrepreneurship, the state is more likely to remain relevant to the business community for at least the next decade by taking the following steps:
• Grow Rhode Island’s freelance workforce. According to the federal government, 73,000 Rhode Island residents (myself included) work for themselves, representing every profession and trade. Because of the lasting impacts of the Great Recession, with less need for traditional employees, and with effects of Obamacare influencing future hiring, more people must work the freelance route out of necessity. We need to put resources into making Rhode Island a national model for developing freelance opportunities. • Invest in healthy communities. The increasing number of people each year needing help with lifelong learning, social assistance and preventive health care to get ahead in their lives is one reason why our state, cities and towns are under such fiscal stress. RhodeMap RI must sketch a balanced approach to protect human needs and provide everyone with the tools needed to create a self-sufficient lifestyle.
• Refocus economic development to meet demand-driven expectations. Global interconnectivity has made local and worldwide markets far more sensitive to quickly shifting demand patterns. An example of our demand-driven economy is the “requirement” that everyone must have an electronic presence to live our daily lives, compete in business, educate our children and do everyday transactions. However, even though Rhode Island became the first state to have total access to the Internet, 38 percent of our residents are not connected because of digital illiteracy, not to mention the high cost of purchasing and maintaining access. Efforts must be made to give everyone free or low-cost Internet access necessary to support our ever-changing 21st-century livelihoods.
Working to solve these issues can make a real difference. As citizens, we must help to determine what kind of commitment is needed today and in the future. RhodeMap RI won’t have all the answers. But together we can use it to improve our economy, revitalize our quality of life and start to fulfill the Ocean State’s great potential. •


Olon Reeder is an independent public relations counselor based in Rhode Island.

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