PROVIDENCE, R.I. – On Monday evening, Lt. Governor Dan McKee and John Gregory of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce hosted a televised small business forum at Venue 131 in Cumberland.
The evening began with a 30-minute panel discussion moderated by McKee. Panelists discussed statutes and regulations that impact the small business community and gave firsthand accounts of running a small business in Rhode Island.
Panelists included: Eric Anderson, President/CEO of Enviro-Clean in Smithfield; Jeanne Pepin Budnick, Owner of Pepin Lumber in Woonsocket; Sennen Conte, Co-founder of Gerbs in Johnston; Nick Garrison, President & Founder of Foolproof Brewing in Pawtucket and Dr. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, President/CEO of Dr. Day Care Learning Center located in eight Rhode Island communities.
Following the panel discussion, Gregory facilitated a 30-minute open forum to allow local small business owners, elected officials and community members in the audience to ask questions and share their ideas on how to make doing business easier in Rhode Island.
"I'm committed to engaging small business owners from all 39 Rhode Island cities and towns," said McKee. "Hearing directly from the people who run small businesses is the key to continuing to improve the business climate in our state."
The event will be televised on the next episode of McKee's monthly show, "Advance RI." The show airs Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on Cox Channel 13, Verizon Channel 32 and Full Channel 49 and on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. on Cox Channel 18 and Verizon Channel 31.
Media Contact: Andrea Palagi | andrea.palagi@ltgov.ri.gov | (401) 744-7925