2015 -- H 5542

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LC001614

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $750,000 FOR POLARIS MANUFACTURING

EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP (MEP)

     Introduced By: Representatives Hearn, Edwards, Marshall, Shekarchi, and Giarrusso

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2015

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, For almost two decades, Polaris, a business unit of the University of Rhode

Island Research Foundation, has been working to provide improvement solutions to over 750

Rhode Island manufacturers; and

     WHEREAS, Polaris Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a statewide nonprofit

organization based in Providence. It provides competitive manufacturing business improvement

programs to help the state’s manufacturing industry become more competitive and innovative;

and

     WHEREAS, This appropriation of $750,000 will help enable the Polaris MEP to boost

Rhode Island's manufacturing industry by providing local companies with the tools they need to

compete, expand, and thrive in our state; and

     WHEREAS, The Polaris MEP "works with Rhode Island manufacturers to design new

facility layouts, expand sites, consolidate two or more facilities, and incorporate new or

specialized equipment into existing processes." In addition, Polaris will "work on behalf of

manufacturers with architects and construction firms, as well as provide project management,

equipment selection guidance and contractor maintenance"; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2015-2016, the sum of seven hundred and fifty

thousand dollars ($750,000) for the Polaris Manufacturing Extension Partnership; and the state

controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his/her orders upon the general treasurer for

the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time required, upon receipt by

him/her of properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $750,000 FOR POLARIS MANUFACTURING

EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP (MEP)

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $750,000 to the Polaris

Manufacturing Extension Partnership to boost Rhode Island's manufacturing industry.

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