Governor Gina M. Raimondo and the Commerce Corporation today announced the launch of the Statewide Action Team (STAT) – a centralized, statewide concierge network charged with making it easier to get business done in Rhode Island. STAT aims to help businesses access information, resources and programs through a single point of contact in a timely and efficient manner to promote business success. This initiative is a part of the administration's focus on attracting new businesses, expanding existing businesses, and jumpstarting our economy and creating jobs.
"Through this initiative, we are making it easier to do business with Rhode Island's government agencies, and cutting the red tape," said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. "If we are going to move the economy forward and create jobs for Rhode Islanders, our government must work at the speed of business."
STAT seeks to: • Provide easy access to state agencies and their services; • Connect a business to the right state expertise and resources to make a project happen quickly and successfully; • Answer questions in a timely and accurate manner; • Provide a personalized approach to starting a business in Rhode Island; and • Enhance agency to agency transparency and visibility.
"Under the leadership of Governor Raimondo, 26 agencies across state government are coordinating in order to support Rhode Island businesses," said Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. "Rhode Island competes daily with other states regarding business growth and relocation opportunities. STAT will help us enhance our competitive advantage by making it easier to do business here."
STAT works in concert with the Business Navigation Center, focusing on the resolution of business-blocking challenges within state agencies. The previously announced Business Navigation Center is more broadly focused on helping companies succeed in Rhode Island – both in dealing with state agencies and in dealing with wider business challenges, such as financing, site location, business planning, export assistance, qualifying for incentives and workforce development.
"As the lead agency focused on revitalizing the economy and fostering job creation, the Commerce Corporation is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and innovative programs for Rhode Island's business community," said Commerce Corporation President and COO Darin Early. "Through the Business Navigation Center and now STAT initiative our Client Services team will continue to help companies navigate state government at the speed of business."
The agencies participating in STAT are: • Coastal Resource Management Council • Contractor's Registration & Licensing Board • Department of Administration • Department of Business Regulation • Department of Environmental Management • Department of Film & TV Office • Department of Health • Department of Labor & Training • Department of Transportation • Division of Motor Vehicles • Division of Purchasing • Division of Taxation • Division of Planning • Narragansett Bay Commission • Office of Regulatory Reform • Public Utilities Commission • Quonset Development Corporation • Secretary of State Office • State Building Code Commission • State Fire Marshal • Rhode Island Emergency Management • Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency • Rhode Island Airport Corporation • Rhode Island Energy Office • Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission • Rhode Island Minority Business Enterprise
About Rhode Island Commerce Corporation The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is the full-service, official economic development organization for the state of Rhode Island. A quasi-public agency, the corporation serves as a government and community resource to help streamline the business expansion in, and relocation to, Rhode Island. The agency assists companies with commercial real estate, business financing, workforce training and other relevant issues. www.commerceri.com