PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Tomorrow night, Lt. Governor Dan McKee will be joined by local small business owners and lending assistance agencies to discuss access to capital on the fourth episode of McKee's monthly television show, "Advance RI." The show will air at 7:00 p.m. on Cox Channel 13, Verizon Channel 32 and Full Channel 49.
"Advance RI" is part of McKee's ongoing effort to amplify the voices of Rhode Islanders who are working to strengthen our state's small business climate, improve our public schools and create efficiency in our cities and towns. Each month, McKee hosts guests on the show who have firsthand experience in these areas.
This month's episode features the stories of small business owners seeking access to capital and the organizations that worked with them to secure that capital. Guests include: Josh Daly, Southern Region Director, Small Business Development Center; Julian Forgue, Owner, Julians and Pizza J; Sophia Gartland, Owner, Essentially Coconut; Buck Harris, Vice President/Manager of Community Lending, Community Investment Corporation; Dan Jennings, Senior Economic Development Advisor, Commerce RI; Fred Magnanimi, Owner, Luca + Danni; John Silva, Senior Vice President & Commercial Loan Officer, Bristol County Savings Bank; Doug Tracey, Vice President of Engineering, Tracey Gear & Precision Shaft and Bud Violet, President, Ocean State Business Development Authority.
"We need to figure out how to level the playing field so a small business in Rhode Island has just as much opportunity to access capital as a big business in Rhode Island," said McKee. "I hope this episode encourages our local lending community to put the focus back on small businesses. They are the backbone of our economy and it's up to us to give them every chance to succeed in Rhode Island."
Episode 4 will continue to air throughout the month of February on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm on Cox Channel 13, Verizon Channel 32 and Full Channel 49 and on Cox Channel 18 and Verizon Channel 31 on Saturdays at 5:30 pm and Wednesdays at 10:00 pm.
McKee invites Rhode Islanders to join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook using the hashtag, #AdvanceRI.
Media Contact: Andrea Palagi | andrea.palagi@ltgov.ri.gov | (401) 222-5383