"We must create conditions that will jump start our struggling economy and create jobs." -Governor Gina M. Raimondo
Cultivating a Favorable Business Environment
• To maintain stability and predictability in the state's tax climate, the Governor's budget includes no broad-based tax increases.
• Phase out the energy sales tax over five years, providing $4.9M in tax relief to businesses in FY 2016.
• Contain health care costs and promote job creation in the health care industry by phasing out the 2.0% surcharges on imaging and outpatient services over four years.
• Repeal more than 30 professional licenses identified by the Office of Regulatory Reform as burdensome, duplicative, or unnecessary.
Taking Action to Spur Jobs, Investment, and Innovation
• Job Creation Tax Initiative: Work with leaders in the General Assembly to structure a meaningful initiative to incentivize businesses to create new jobs in Rhode Island.
• Anchor Tax Credit: Incentivize our largest and most innovative employers-the anchors of our economy-to bring their suppliers and affiliates to Rhode Island.
• Real Estate Incentives: Encourage construction projects, with a focus on development near transit hubs and historic structures.
• Small Business Assistance Initiative: Leverage other funding sources to create a sustainable source of capital for Rhode Island small businesses.
• Innovation Voucher Program: Allow businesses to earn vouchers they can redeem for R&D assistance from colleges, universities, and other local institutions.
• First Wave Funds: Catalyze major real estate developments, in the I-195 District and statewide, that will bring large numbers of jobs and opportunities to Rhode Island.
• Worker Training: Invest in education and workforce development, because businesses need a pipeline of well-educated, well-trained workers.
Strengthening Government's Partnership with Business
• Business One-Stop Service Shop: Shepherd businesses through state regulations and requirements, and connect them with state programs and services to help them grow.
• RI Commerce Corporation: Invest in new dedicated resources to develop stronger relationships with new and existing Rhode Island companies; reversing years of cuts & restoring agency funding to 2001 levels.
• Business Marketing Campaign: In partnership with chambers of commerce and local businesses, actively promote Rhode Island, bringing our state back to the table for investment and growth opportunities.
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