Providence, R.I.- Governor Lincoln D. Chafee joined the Rhode Island Division of Planning today to invite the public to review and comment on the draft of the state's Economic Development Plan, a product of the RhodeMap RI initiative.
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 Division of Planning's Statewide Planning Program, working in collaboration with the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (Commerce RI), is responsible for the development of this Plan. This Plan was also developed with public and private stakeholder participation, as well as state and federal agency collaboration.
Two public hearings are planned. The first will be held on Monday, October 27, at 6 p.m. in Conference Room A, second floor, in the Department of Administration's building, One Capitol Hill, Providence. The second one is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at 6 p.m. at the North Kingstown Senior Center, 44 Beach St., North Kingstown. The hearings will begin with a half-hour informational presentation followed by an opportunity for public comment.
The Economic Development Plan is available for review at the RhodeMap RI website www.rhodemapri.org/edplan. Also, copies are available for public inspection at the Program's office, One Capitol Hill, 3rd floor, Providence, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, all persons may 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, AICP, Supervising Planner, Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908. All comments must be received before 4 p.m. on Friday, October 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 Chafee said. "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."
"Our Division of Planning team has been very impressed with the range of ideas, passion for Rhode Island, and commitment to work together to improve the state, expressed by Rhode Islanders over the past year," Kevin Flynn, Associate Director for the Division of Planning, added. "The foundation of this plan begins in recognizing our strengths and unique attributes and then building from that base. We hope that will be evident and exciting to readers of this plan."
The locations of the hearings are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Any individual with physical or sensory impairments requiring assistance for a reasonable accommodation to participate in these hearings should contact Thomas Mannock, Ph.D. at (401) 222-6377 (voice) or #711 (R.I. Relay) at least five business days prior to the meeting. Any individual requiring the services of a spoken language interpreter to participate in these hearings should contact Melanie Jewett Army at (401) 222-6183 (voice) at least five business days prior to the hearing. Public transit schedule information for the public hearings is available from RIPTA at (401) 781-9400 or www.ripta.com.
RhodeMap RI is a coordinated and forward-looking approach to the State's efforts to make Rhode Island a better place to work and live. The new Economic Development Plan is different from past plans in that it takes a broader look at what economic development includes and how it interrelates with many other issues facing Rhode Islanders such as public education, energy costs, climate change, public health, transportation, environmental sustainability and social equity for our diverse population. All of which have an impact on the ability of Rhode Islanders to succeed in life and fully participate in the economy, as well as affect how local businesses thrive, attract and retain employees, and how government sustains good public service and infrastructure for future generations.
RhodeMap RI is one component of Governor Chafee's broader efforts to bring a coordinated and forward-looking approach to the State's efforts to make Rhode Island a better place to work and live. Prior to Governor Chafee taking office, the State did not have a truly coordinated plan for economic development, housing, transportation, and land use. To achieve this level of integration, the focus issues of the project will be broad, including investment in education, sound infrastructure, and workforce development and training. Support for local communities and making the state and local tax bases strong will be a high priority for RhodeMap RI. We recognize that our success will require building on our economic assets to foster the growth of business at every scale.
RhodeMap RI will build upon the work already completed by the Chafee Administration. Rhode Island released the initial results of the project in February 2013 when it issued the Economy Rhode Island and An Equity Profile of Rhode Island reports, which analyze Rhode Island's demographics, business climate, and economic competitiveness. These reports can be viewed by visiting the RhodeMap RI website at www.rhodemapri.org. The Department of Administration's Division of Planning expects to complete a draft Housing Plan by the end of 2014 and all other grant deliverables by early 2015. The final months of the initiative will focus on implementation planning and capacity building for Rhode Island municipalities, state agencies, and community partners. RhodeMap RI is funded with a Sustainable Communities Initiative Grant.
Sustainable Communities Initiative Grant is one of several offered through the Federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a collaboration of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program supports metropolitan and multi-jurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments in a manner that empowers jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of: (1) economic competitiveness and revitalization; (2) social equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity; (3) energy use and climate change; and (4) public health and environmental impact. The Sustainable Communities Program is coordinated by HUD's Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, whose mission is to create strong, sustainable communities by connecting housing to jobs, fostering local innovation, and helping to build a clean energy economy. Rhode Island will develop the comprehensive, integrated plan through an inclusive public process with an eye toward positive and equitable impact for all Rhode Islanders. The grant consortium is composed of state agencies, business leaders, residents, municipal leaders and non-profit organizations.
For more information visit, http://rhodemapri.org and on Twitter: @RhodeMapRI or contact Allison Rogers, Allison.Rogers@doa.ri.gov, 401-222-2280.