Rhode Island Commerce

#OceanTechSpotlight: REGENT is building the future of sustainable maritime mobility, and now they'll be building it in a new, 225,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at Quonset Development Corporation in North Kingstown! Supported by $4 million in Rhode Island Commerce incentives, this local employer is creating 300 jobs - with the potential for 450 more - building the future of seaglider technology here in the Ocean State. https://lnkd.in/ewfgKzrP

In the latest 'Connect with Commerce' column in Providence Business News, Secretary Tanner discusses the importance of supporting minority-owned businesses through our Minority Business Accelerator and other initiatives. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eVPzKZ_d

"A record 28 million people visited Rhode Island in 2023 — a more than 2 percent increase — as tourism continued to improve since the pandemic." ?? Total spending: $5.6 billion ?? Food & beverage: $1.4B ?? Hotels & lodging: $1.2B Read more, via Boston Globe Media. https://lnkd.in/e6cajdDf

We joined state and local business leaders at Governor McKee's micro / small business roundtable at Innovate Newport last week. From better access to capital and workforce development programs to key initiatives like Learn365 and Attendance Matters, we discussed just a few of the ways we're investing in our small businesses and workforce.

Tourism plays a vital role in Rhode Island’s economy, and we are proud to report another record year for the Ocean State in 2023. ?? Visitors grew 2.2% to a record 28.4M people ?? Spending totaled $5.6B, an increase of 4.6% ??? Supported 86,612 jobs and generated $935M in state and local tax revenues. MORE: https://lnkd.in/e2krAG9Y

?? REMINDER: Proposals for our Placemaking Initiative are due this Friday, November 15. Grants of up to $75,000 for events, and up to $200,000 for capital improvement projects, are available under a new Request for Proposals (RFP). Learn more & submit your proposal ?? https://lnkd.in/gtHnG28Z

ICYMI: Rhode Island's shipbuilding industry continues to make waves as Senesco Marine LLC christened a new, hybrid electric commuter ferry. ?? Learn more via WJAR-TV https://lnkd.in/ehc6Vb8A

Local leaders from across our food system gathered this summer to shape Rhode Island's 2030 Food Strategy, which aims to boost local food production, support local businesses, and build a more resilient, equitable food economy. Together, we're working towards a stronger, more resilient food system for all Rhode Islanders. Learn more about the 2024 Food Strategy Summit:

Today we recognize the men and women across Rhode Island who have served our country. ???? 60K+ veterans call RI home ?? 5,500+ own small businesses Via The Providence Journal, here are a few ways local businesses are expressing their gratitude today. #VeteransDay https://lnkd.in/eN7PS8kT

Meet Narragansett-based Rhode Island Innovator Kestrel Innovative Fibers?? Kestrel is reimaginging the way sustainable fibers are made for manufacturing with recycled and upcycled plastics harvested from the ocean. Kestrel recently received an innovation voucher to support the testing of a series of additives to polymers for processing recycled plastics into pellet form, with the goal of achieving the quality of virgin plastics that can be used as the base material to produce fibers or injection molding. As part of our meet the #RIInnovators series, we'll be highlighting a new Rhode Island Commerce Innovation Voucher recipient each week, sharing the inspiring work of local companies as they pioneer new technology and ideas. Learn more: https://www.kif-us.com