Governor Gina M. Raimondo today announced a collaboration with the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program to support her ongoing efforts to get Rhode Islanders back to work. Brookings, with its strong track record in developing successful economic strategies in Buffalo, New York and Chicago, Illinois, among other places, will work to identify economic development initiatives that can benefit all Rhode Islanders, with a special focus on the state's advanced industries.
"Our mission is to get Rhode Islanders back to work," Raimondo said. "Every day I am focused on implementing all the best tools to jumpstart our economy and grow jobs. The jobs plan passed in June is a strong start, but we can't stop there." Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, who is spearheading the Brookings collaboration for the State, said, "Given the recent passage of our jobs plan, we are looking forward to working with Brookings to determine how best to target our new tools. In addition, we aim to develop a high-impact strategy that builds upon Rhode Island's strengths and advances our economy."
The Brookings team-led by Senior Fellow and Policy Director Mark Muro and Vice President and Co-Director Bruce Katz- will identify Rhode Island's best growth opportunities, assess the condition of its key economic drivers, highlight barriers that need to be overcome to strengthen these drivers, and propose strategies and action steps to move the state forward in a changing global economy.
"Rhode Island has a lot of potential but needs a focused, forward-looking action plan, and our work will provide one," said Muro, who has led economic development and advanced industry strategies in multiple states in recent years. "The state and its governor have the will to move forward and we will help suggest the right moves."
In conducting this work, the Brookings research team will seek input from a wide array of Rhode Island stakeholders, including large and small Rhode Island businesses, the Executive Office of Commerce, and other government entities, educational and research institutions, philanthropies, and nonprofits. In addition, Brookings will engage experienced research partners and conduct intensive industry analysis, 50-state benchmarking, and extensive strategy research.
"With its strategic location, strong anchor institutions and creative culture, Rhode Island is poised to reclaim its heritage as a vibrant state with good jobs accessible to all," said Brookings Vice President Katz. "This economic strategy will draw upon the knowledge of leaders across the state and in different sectors to help Rhode Island thrive in the globalized 21st century marketplace."
This Brookings-led project will host a handful of public sessions throughout the state as it aims to complete its work by the end of the year.