As 2010 gets under way, Rhode Islanders know that we all must commit to making it a year of rebuilding our economically troubled state, with the creation of jobs our highest priority.
Yesterday we took an important step forward with the appointment of Keith Stokes as interim director of the RI Economic Development Corporation.
I’ve had the privilege to work with Keith on a number of occasions, and he’s an excellent choice. With his background as director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce and as an EDC board member, I am confident that Keith can begin the transformative change that EDC needs to bring our economy back from the brink.
Keith will work well within the state government structure and also has a great understanding of the Rhode Island business community and the challenges they face. I look forward to working with him to boost our state’s small businesses and attract new industry to Rhode Island.
But we can’t stop there. The EDC needs to be at full power, with a complete and engaged board of directors. Currently 8 of the 13 positions on the EDC board of directors are vacant. That’s simply unacceptable—most especially in this time of economic duress.
I call on the governor to make the appointments to the board of directors in order to provide Keith Stokes and the employees of the EDC the support to begin rebuilding Rhode Island’s job base and securing our economic future. Let’s continue to make 2010 a year of positive change for Rhode Island.