Calls for immediate appointment of new board members to position Rhode Island’s economy for recovery
PROVIDENCE-- Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts praised today’s announcement of Keith Stokes as director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
“Rhode Islanders are out of work; they are struggling to make ends meet. Creating new jobs is the single most important issue facing our state. I am confident that Keith can begin the transformative change that EDC needs to bring our economy back from the brink,” Roberts said.
After a lengthy, nationwide search, the governor’s appointment to the position announced last week that she was withdrawing from consideration for the post. Recently, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing for a contract to be offered to an EDC director outside of a governor’s term in office as well as expanding the board of directors of the quasi-public corporation.
“Rhode Island’s job growth is at a standstill,” Roberts continued. “The Economic Development Corporation must be positioned to identify areas of potential job growth and aggressively pursue those opportunities. That requires the dynamic leadership that Keith will bring. But it also requires a full complement of current and engaged appointments to the board of directors.”
8 of the 13 positions on the EDC Board of Directors are currently vacant. “I call on the governor to make the appointments to the board of directors in order to provide Mr. Stokes and the employees of the EDC the leadership and support to begin rebuilding Rhode Island’s job base and securing our economic future.”