2014 -- H 7204

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LC003581

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

TO HAVE RHODE ISLAND DECLARED A "PROMISE ZONE"

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, Costantino, Gallison, Casey, and Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: January 28, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, While Rhode Island's economy is starting to show some growth and

recovery from the financial and economic crisis that our country has faced, it continues to rank

highest in the nation for unemployment. A real economic recovery is not possible without

meaningful and effective action; and

     WHEREAS, Promise Zones are proposed areas in our country that have significant

poverty, continued high unemployment, a high rate of home foreclosures, or economic distress;

and

     WHEREAS, Designation as a Promise Zone is the first step towards eligibility for

businesses to receive various federal tax credits to hire and invest in our state; and

     WHEREAS, This new type of Zone designation dramatically broadens opportunities for

both existing businesses and new business, and for continued job creation: and

     WHEREAS, In addition, these tax credit opportunities can provide assistance with

funding new capital investments in both the short and long-term for businesses, and in helping to

create job development; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's total recovery form this economic crisis will not happen

overnight, but recognizing, initiating, and establishing the necessary steps towards long-term

solutions is essential; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby respectfully requests our state's Congressional Delegation to initiate and

pursue all efforts to have Rhode Island declared a "Promise Zone"; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby requests the Rhode Island Commerce

Corporation to apply to HUD and the United States Department of Agriculture for certification as

a Federal Urban Promise Zone; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States,  members

of Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the

Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the Director of the Rhode Island

Commerce Corporation. 

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LC003581

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