13-R209

2013 -- S 0714

Enacted 04/11/13

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF DIGITAL EXCELLENCE AND THE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO UPGRADE AND IMPROVE EDC'S

WEBSITE

Introduced By: Senators Cote, Archambault, Satchell, Raptakis, and Conley

Date Introduced: March 13, 2013

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation's website is often

the first impression of the Ocean State for out-of-state businesses looking to relocate to Rhode

Island. The website presents a unique opportunity to showcase the state's strengths, appeal, and

business incentives to prospective companies; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's official state website and network, RI.gov, was recently

ranked fourth in the nation for the second consecutive year in the Center for Digital Government's

"Best of the Web" competition; and

     WHEREAS, Leading states' economic development websites are recognized by the

International Economic Development Council through the Council's Excellence in Economic

Development Award; and

     WHEREAS, The criteria used in judging such websites include visual appeal and

navigability, timeliness of information, interactivity, content quality, and the availability of

relevant and up-to-date data. Such websites often provide single-point access to multiple state

agencies, an approach that can assist a business and present an image of confidence and self-

assurance; and

     WHEREAS, In 2012, the Office of Digital Excellence was established with a statutory

purpose that includes positioning Rhode Island as a national leader in e-government; now,

therefore be it

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

respectfully requests the Office of Digital Excellence, in partnership with the Economic

Development Corporation, to upgrade and improve the Economic Development Corporation's

website to align with websites of leading states;

     RESOLVED, That such upgrades and improvements should include seamless integration

and compatibility with websites of other state agencies that are of direct interest to current and

prospective businesses including, but not limited to, the Department of Labor and Training, the

Secretary of State, and the Department of Business Regulation; 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 the Chief Digital Officer of the State of Rhode

Island and to the Director of the Economic Development Corporation.

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LC00983

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