2015 -- S 0979 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC002854/SUB A

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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 $350,000 FOR POLARIS MANUFACTURING

EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP (MEP)

     Introduced By: Senator Erin P. Lynch

     Date Introduced: June 09, 2015

     Referred To: Senate 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 three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) 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 three hundred fifty thousand

dollars ($350,000) 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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