2016 -- S 2176

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LC004178

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION TO

WORK JOINTLY WITH THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT AND LABOR AND TRAINING TO ESTABLISH JOB DEVELOPMENT

INCENTIVES THAT ENCOURAGE COMPANIES THAT PRODUCE, PROCESS,

DISTRIBUTE, AND ADD VALUE TO RHODE ISLAND AGRICULTURAL AND SEAFOOD

PRODUCTS TO EITHER EXPAND OR LOCATE IN THE STATE

     Introduced By: Senators Pearson, Sosnowski, Metts, Algiere, and Kettle

     Date Introduced: January 27, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     WHEREAS, The agricultural and seafood industries are two of Rhode Island’s most

important and growing economic sectors, spanning a wide range of public and private enterprises,

and generating over $1.2 billion in economic activity in Rhode Island on an annual basis; and

     WHEREAS, According to recent data, the agriculture and seafood industries employ over

12,000 directly and indirectly in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, In recognition of the need for greater focus upon economic development

and job creation in Rhode Island, the General Assembly established the Rhode Island Commerce

Corporation in 2013; and

     WHEREAS, The mission of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation includes, but is not

limited to, promoting the preservation, expansion, and sound development of new and existing

industry, business, commerce, agriculture, tourism, and recreational facilities in the state. This in

turn will promote the economic development of the state and the general welfare of its citizens, as

well as a healthy and growing economy, thereby encouraging new industries and commercial

enterprises to locate in the state, enabling existing industries and commercial enterprises to

remain and expand, and alleviating the condition of unemployment and underemployment that

now exists; and

     WHEREAS, During the 2015 legislative session, the General Assembly both enabled and

funded the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's efforts, specifically in Article 19 of the Fiscal

2016 Budget, producing over $65 million of new jobs related incentives; and

     WHEREAS, A recent economic study by the Brookings Institute entitled, “Rhode Island

Innovates A Competitive Strategy for the Ocean State,” targeted the Food Processing Industry as

an “Advanced Industry Growth Area” being already strongly positioned in the state with a 32

percent higher level of industry concentration than the nation, and employment growth of 16

percent from 2009-2013, which significantly exceeds national employment growth of 3.8 percent;

and,

     WHEREAS, By connecting Rhode Island’s growing food manufacturing industry with

core competencies in food and health found at local colleges and universities and Rhode Island’s

1240 farms, there exists significant potential for continued strong economic and jobs growth; and,

     WHEREAS, The Commerce Corporation has the tools to help:

     (1) Sustain and grow new or expanded agricultural production including aquaculture and

commercial fishing in our state;

     (2) Foster new collaborations among Rhode Island food businesses, organizations or

enterprises; and

     (3) Support both existing and new demand and sales channels with clearly defined

markets; and

     WHEREAS, The same Brookings Institute report further cites synergistic benefits

derived from upgrading warehousing capabilities for cold storage at Rhode Island’s ports,

offering a potential boost to Rhode Island’s food manufacturing industry; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation work jointly with the

Rhode Island Departments of Environmental Management and Labor and Training to establish

job development incentives that encourage companies that produce, process, distribute, and add

value to Rhode Island agriculture and seafood products to either expand or locate in the state; and

be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Governor Gina M. Raimondo, the Chair of the

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Environmental Management, and the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and

Training.

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LC004178

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