2019 -- H 6118

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LC002635

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE OPPORTUNITIES

INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTER OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Almeida, Lombardi, Hull, Tobon, and Cassar

     Date Introduced: May 16, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, The Opportunities Industrialization Center of Rhode Island (OIC) is a

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1967 by a group of concerned Rhode Islanders

interested in developing hope and opportunity in underserved communities; and

     WHEREAS, The purpose of the of the OIC of Rhode Island is to provide workforce

education, training, and employment, urban policy planning, and minority business development

services to unemployed and underemployed populations in economically depressed communities

in partnership with business, labor, education, governmental units, and community-based

organizations; and

     WHEREAS, The OIC of Rhode Island has an extensive history in community

development creating The Omni Development Company (affordable housing), Peerless Precision

Company (Banneker Industries - an MBE supply chain management company), the development

of the CCRI Providence Campus facility, and training and employment programming that has

placed thousands of Rhode Islanders in careers and jobs over the years; and

     WHEREAS, The OIC of Rhode Island has positioned the organization to serve as a

pathway from the communities of highest unemployment and underemployment to career and

employment opportunities in collaboration with community-based organizations, training and

industry partners, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Providence Economic

Development Partnership, and CommerceRI; and

     WHEREAS, The compelling demographic trends projected in Rhode Island require

commensurate diversity inclusionary policies and programs that will result in positive socio-

economic impact for families and neighborhoods; and

     WHEREAS, The program focus strategy will be in census tracts that exhibit the highest

unemployment and underemployment rates in the City of Providence and the State of Rhode

Island; and

     WHEREAS, The OIC of Rhode Island's request for an appropriation will serve as

matching and leveraged funds from government, corporations, foundations, and individuals that

will strengthen the programming and planning capacity in support of the organization's

sustainability and community development plan; now, therefore be it

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

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2019-2020, the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand

dollars ($250,000) to the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Rhode Island to implement the

activities outlined within this resolution; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed

to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as

may be from time required, upon receipt 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 $250,000 TO THE OPPORTUNITIES

INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTER OF RHODE ISLAND

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $250,000 to the

Opportunities Industrialization Center of Rhode Island.

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