Chafee Headlines Business Forum

On Wednesday morning at the , Gov. Lincoln Chafee and a number of state officials provided about 70 business owners with information on the programs available to assist Rhode Island companies.

Organized by the , the business forum featured former Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, currently director of the state Department of Labor and Training, and staffers from the state Economic Development Corporation.

Chafee told the group that business growth is a key to reducing property taxes, which he called "the most difficult tax to pay."

Noting his prior experience as mayor of Warwick, Chafee explained that he's working with other local officials — including Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena and North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi — to support economic development.

"We're compadres in local issues," Chafee said.

Fogarty spoke about the many free programs available to business owners, including recruitment; assessment of candidates; and training for employees and employers.

"Even though we offer these services, many people aren't aware of them," Fogarty explained.

Among the programs noted by Fogarty were DLT's online job board, which drew 48,000 users last year; computer based testing, called "Prove It," which helps employers confirm that an applicant has the required skills; and tax credits through the agency's Workforce Partnerships, including one that covers Johnston and North Providence.

Leslie Taito, EDC's Director of Regulatory and Quality Management, explained the agency's approach in creating a "clear, predictable, and reliable" process for resolving problems.

By bringing together business owners, state officials, and utility company representatives, EDC works to help businesses when regulations or contractor delays pose issues to completing projects, explained Taito.

"If you've had an instance where [regulations or other issues] have impacted your business, and you can put a number on it, we need those facts so that we can go back to those departments and make sure that doesn't happen again," Taito said. "We need that quantifiable data, because that determines what we many need to change — we want to help you get unstuck."

Mayor calls for Chafee support of Stuart's development

The session concluded with a question-and-answer period, where Polisena asked Chafee whether he could "guarantee" that the new development on the former site of Stuart's department store would not "sit on a desk at DEM or another state agency."

[Jeffrey Saletin, the developer of the project, was in the audience for the forum.]

While he admitted he couldn't guarantee the project would completely avoid hurdles, Chafee said the Stuart's proposal "will be at the top of the list," and offered his help to Saletin to get it completed.

Following the session, Polisena said he was glad to host the event.

"It's incredible to have the governor here with his department heads, as well as so many businesses that came today," Polisena explained. "The small businesses really are the economic engine, and it's very difficult for them being out there right now — and I think it's going to help, this was very positive for the town of North Providence and the town of Johnston, and we were very fortunate to host it here."

Polisena added he appreciated Chafee's words of support for the Stuart's property development.

"It's a priority, it's going to happen, and I know now that if there are any issues, I can pick up the phone and call the governor," the mayor explained.

Officials laud forum for generating 'buzz'

For his part, Chafee said he was impressed by group who attended the forum — and by the interaction that it provided the business owners and government officials.

"It's always good to see a good turnout and people interested in the programs that can help their businesses," Chafee explained. "That's our job — to get around the state a communicate the programs that, really, they pay for as citizens and taxpayers."

As small groups assembled in the senior center dining room for further conversation, Chafee noted the discussions as proof of how such events can help with the state's business development efforts.

"You can hear the buzz behind me — everybody's networking and talking, and that's a good thing," Chafee said. "With the economic downturn since 2008, we're overdue to have more economic activity here in Rhode Island, and that's our goal — we want to make sure that every Rhode Islander has access to the job they want to do."

Chamber President Deb Ramos praised the upbeat tone of the forum.

"What I think was really nice about the event was, with all the negativity that's been around lately, none of that was mentioned today — it was really positive," Ramos explained. "I think that was good news, a positive light to be shed on the business community and the community in general.