2014 -- H 7706

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LC004711

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

SUPPORTING THE RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION'S APPLICATION FOR

THE DESIGNATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF "PROMISE ZONES" AND

"MANUFACTURING HUBS" WITHIN OUR STATE

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, Costantino, O'Brien, Almeida, and Ucci

     Date Introduced: February 27, 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, Tax credit opportunities, associated with Promise Zones designation, can

provide assistance with funding new capitol investment in both in the short and long term for

businesses, and in helping to create job development; and

      WHEREAS, Manufacturing Hubs are regions where industry, academia, and

government can work together to solve tough problems, foment and deploy solutions, and

develop new technologies; and

     WHEREAS, These designations, as well as the President's additionally proposed

initiatives, will dramatically broaden opportunities for both existing businesses, new business,

and continued job creation within Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's total recovery from 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 House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby requests the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to pursue

certification as a Federal Urban Promise Zone and Manufacturing Hub through HUD and the

United States Department of Agriculture; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby respectfully requests our state's Congressional

Delegation pursue all efforts to have Rhode Island declared a "Promise Zone" and a

"Manufacturing Hub"; and be it further

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

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

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

States House of Representatives, and the Director of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.

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LC004711

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