R 093
2016 -- S 2176
Enacted 03/03/2016

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

     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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