Rhode Island Commerce

Thinking about setting up shop in Rhode Island? We can give you plenty of reasons to take the leap.

But don't take it from us; take it from Boston.com!

Moving to Rhode Island? Bend the cup and appreciate that big bug. A native Rhode Islander asks other Ocean Staters what it takes to fit in, in the smallest state in the country.

Another win for our state's robust ecosystem! Congratulations to Nexans on the official opening of their new Providence office.

Headquartered in France, Nexans is a global leader in the fast-growing renewable sector, providing advanced subsea cable installation and services for several U.S. wind projects.

With its new operations hub, Nexans joins more than 30 offshore wind supply chain leaders with a presence at CIC - Cambridge Innovation Center Providence.

MORE: https://commerceri.com/global-offshore-wind-subsea-cable-manufacturer-nexans-joins-growing-industry-cluster-in-rhode-island/

Last year, we saw how severe floods impacted small businesses in our communities. Check out how we’re using new federal funds to create a statewide GIS map that will help us identify, monitor, and support economic corridors vulnerable to flooding across Rhode Island.

PRESS RELEASE: RI Secures Federal Funding to Support Small Business Districts Vulnerable to Floods Today, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation announced that it has been awarded a grant from the U.S.

NEW: Breeze Airways continues to grow its presence in Rhode Island, with new flights at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport - PVD.

✈️ Daytona Beach, FL
✈️ Wilmington, NC

“Providence has been a fantastic market for us, and we continue to see more opportunities for growth.”

Breeze Airways to add nonstop service between Daytona Beach and Rhode Island in 2025 - The Boston Globe Breeze Airways will begin offering nonstop service between Rhode Island and Florida and North Carolina in 2025.

ICYMI: With our Renewable Energy Fund, we're investing in projects that reduce emissions and advance the state's energy goals, including revitalizing this 90-acre contaminated property into a new solar site.

Bristol property reopens as state's largest closed-landfill solar site BRISTOL – A once-derelict municipal property has found new life as Rhode Island’s largest closed-landfill solar site. The 90-acre Bristol Landfill Solar Project, with 6.875 megawatts defined conditions, officially launched into operation on July 25, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended b...

Looking to launch a career in Rhode Island's industry?

Learn more about the FREE certification and safety training program offered at Community College Of Rhode Island. Classes provide accredited high alltitude work safety education, sea survival, and other types of specialized training.

https://www.ccri.edu/workforce/workforce/renewableenergy/.

Are you a passionate food entrepreneur? Are you looking for ways to grow your business without traditional venture capital?

Join Branchfood for a FREE webinar exploring financing options, including those tailored for Rhode Island based women and minority-owned food companies that are ready to scale.

📅 August 19 @ 3 p.m.

To Register:

FREE Virtual Webinar : Alternative Finance Options for Funding Growth of a Food Business. — Branchfood Are you a passionate food entrepreneur looking to elevate your business without traditional venture capital? Join us for a free virtual webinar on August 19th at 3:00 pm ET, where we explore innovative funding alternatives, including those tailored for Rhode Island based women and minority-owned foo

We recently visited Asthenis Pharmacy, a community-focused health hub offering vaccinations, lower cost RX prescriptions, and reliable public health education to underserved communities in Providence.

In 2020, Asthenis completed NEMIC ACTIVATE, a seed funding preparation program supported by Rhode Island Commerce, for early stage, regulated start ups that offers assistance with professional services like business strategy, market sizing, financial acumen, and more.

Learn more about Asthenis at https://asthenis.org/

In 2023, Rhode Island’s health and wellness sectors experienced a boost with the launch of NEMIC's EMPOWER Program for Health and Wellness. This initiative was designed to support minority and women-run businesses focusing on these historically underserved communities.

Funded by Rhode Island Commerce, the EMPOWER Program introduced a robust support system that combined mentorship, technical assistance, and an emphasis on celebrating diversity and fostering innovation within the Health and Wellness sector.
https://bit.ly/4d6gLD7

Earlier this week, our team held a forum with local stakeholders to begin next steps on RI's 2030 Statewide Food Strategy.

As we build a framework for our plan, we know that by working together, we can accomplish our shared goal of a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food economy in Rhode Island.

Learn more about the planning process:
https://www.visitrhodeisland.com/relish-rhody/the-plan/relish-rhody-20/

Ocean Tech Hub Announces $500,000 from the Biden-Harris Administration to Strengthen Consortia, Continue Momentum and Secure Additional Capital | Rhode Island Commerce WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Ocean Tech Hub was awarded a $500,000 Consortium Accelerator Award from the Biden-Harris Administration through the U.S. Department of

🌊 NEW: The Ocean Tech Hub has received a $500,000 Consortium Accelerator Award from the Biden-Harris Administration.

We look forward to leveraging these funds to continue the work of building an innovative, job-creating hub for ocean technology.

Ocean Tech Hub Announces $500,000 from the Biden-Harris Administration to Strengthen Consortia, Continue Momentum and Secure Additional Capital | Rhode Island Commerce WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Ocean Tech Hub was awarded a $500,000 Consortium Accelerator Award from the Biden-Harris Administration through the U.S. Department of

Sec. Tanner visited Washington, D.C. to share how our federally designated Ocean Tech Hub will continue to create jobs and economic opportunity.

Ocean technology is expected to grow by nearly $300 billion over the next decade. And with new advances in materials, electronics, and artificial intelligence happening here in Rhode Island, we will continue to contribute to that record growth.

Learn more: oceantechnologyhub.com

We're committed to working with businesses — at all stages — to encourage their growth and expansion in Rhode Island.

Our business engagement specialists provide one-on-one consultations to learn more about your business, offering assistance with planning, financing, operations, and available resources across the state.

Get connected to your business advisor:

📞 401-278-9100
📧 [email protected]

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ICYMI: Our proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program has been officially APPROVED. ✅

With $108 million in federal funding on the way, we're one step closer to closing the digital divide, helping ensure that all Rhode Islanders have reliable access to affordable, high-speed internet.

NTIA Grants Rhode Island BEAD Initial Proposal Approval The state was allocated $108 million BEAD funds.

It's not too late! Enjoy some of Rhode Island's world renown local favorites during Providence Restaurant Weeks.

Take your pick from GoProvidence's official guide ⬇️

Providence Restaurant Weeks | July 7-20, 2024 Providence Restaurant Weeks offers a wide range of dining specials to enjoy at participating Providence area restaurants. Learn more.

Is an employee-owned co-op the best path forward for the future of your business?

Join Social Enterprise Greenhouse for an upcoming lunch & learn to explore the potential benefits this model could bring for you, your staff and your legacy.

📅 July 18 @ 12 p.m.
📍 10 Davol Square, Providence

Securing Your Local Legacy Through a Worker Owned Cooperative Model Ever wondered whether employee ownership might be a next step for transitioning your current business and what the steps to do so might be.

We're proud to support the 2024 FirstWorks Summer Beats concert series at Roger Williams Park with our initiative.

In the mood for live music? Check out their upcoming programs!

🎵 July 21: La Excelencia
🎵 July 26: Swanky Kitchen Band

FirstWorks Summer Beats Concerts: La Excelencia The third concert of this year’s FirstWorks Summer Beats concert series transports audiences to the dance floors of New York City’s Salsa scene with an electrifying performance by La Excelencia. The 12-piece Salsa dura band is inspired by the salsa sounds of the 1970’s and the sociopolitical l...

We're at Quonset today to celebrate new investments in QDC's rail infrasructure that increase capacity and efficiency in its growing transportation network 🛤️

Sec. Tanner joined Governor Dan McKee & RI's federal delegation for the official ribbon cutting ceremony & train ride!

“Rhode Island is the gold standard when it comes to demonstrating the power of partnership.”

With Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport - PVD set to become its largest U.S. base, it's great to see Breeze Airways continue to create jobs and invest in Rhode Island.

Five Questions With: David Neeleman David Neeleman | CEO, Breeze Airways 1. Forbes magazine recently wrote that Breeze is “betting the ranch” on Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport. Is that an overstatement? Providence is very important to us. … It’s been one of our fastest-growing cities, and this year will become o...

Are you interested in taking the first steps toward preserving your legacy and protecting the jobs you've worked hard to create?

Succession Ready is a FREE program for small business owners considering retirement, succession, or selling their business.

During a series of online and in-person workshops, you'll learn how to develop an actionable succession plan for you and your business. including transition operations, financials, marketing and more.

Interested in learning more? Join a virtual information session on July 16 at 8:30 a.m.

Register:

Virtual Information Session Registration | Get Succession Ready Succession Ready is a series of small business owner workshops that will help you develop an actionable succession plan for you and your business.

ICYMI: We announced the first in a series of statewide investments in RI's broadband infrastructure.

Around 6,700 locations across Jamestown, Newport, & Westerly are set to receive service improvements under a new RFP.

More in Providence Business News:

R.I. Commerce issues $25M RFP for broadband upgrades in Jamestown, Newport, Westerly PROVIDENCE – Around 6,700 locations across Jamestown, Newport and Westerly are set to get broadband service improvements under a $25 million request for proposals the R.I. Commerce Corp. issued Tuesday. The request is the first of three phases and is part of the Commerce Corp.’s ConnectRI progra...

It was a GREAT Friday evening in City of Central Falls, RI! 💃

We're proud to support community-focused events, like Salsa Night (and many others), through our Initiative which provides grants for summer events and activities in communities across RI.

NEW: After recently announcing it will double its presence at T.F. Green Airport, Breeze Airways has received initial approval to start international service 🌎

✈️ We congratulate Breeze Airways and its entire team on this significant milestone.

Breeze closing in on international debut Breeze Airways, the three-year-old airline started by serial entrepreneur David Neeleman, has received initial approval to start international service.

Our supports many of Rhode Island's most innovative companies, companies like Nautilus Defense in Pawtucket.

Nautilus is a global leader in advanced textile-integrated systems, and the new technology they are developing will strengthen national security and accelerate research initiatives across a range of industries.

Learn more about their latest breakthrough:

Nautilus Defense Makes World-Leading Advancement In Electronic Textile Technology | Textile World Textile WorldBreaking NewsNonwovens / Technical Textiles Nautilus Defense Makes World-Leading Advancement In Electronic Textile Technology June 17, 2024 PROVIDENCE, R.I. — June 17, 2024 — Nautilus Defense, a global developer of advanced textile-integrated systems, has demonstrated a critical adv...

We're proud to support projects like this with new awards for commercial districts from our Main Street & Site Readiness programs. 🛣️

Town secures $150K grant for engineering of potential water lines for Route 146 in N.S. - NRI NOW NORTH SMITHFIELD – A project focused on development of the Route 146 corridor via installation of water lines received a boost this week, with the town now slated to receive $150,000 for an engineering study from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's Main Street RI Streetscape Improvement Fund a...

A big thank you to CNN shining a spotlight on our wonderful city! Providence earned the No. 2 spot on its list for its vibrant art, design, architecture, and impressive culinary scene.

Ranked among America's best towns, Providence is a treasure trove of history, culture, and culinary delights. Wander through the picturesque streets of Federal Hill, take part in world-class dining, and soak in the vibrant arts scene.

Read the full article here: https://cnn.it/4eFtjCH

"As a nation, we are just beginning to tap the potential of our oceans and the innovative opportunities that lie within it."

With the country's poised to grow by nearly $300 billion over the next decade, our federally designated, regional is well-positioned to lead the way.

Read more about our 'Ocean of Opportunity' in The Providence Journal:

Ocean Tech Hub can provide limitless opportunity for RI | Opinion Submitted opinion column: Elizabeth M. Tanner serves as Rhode Island’s Secretary of Commerce and previously served as director of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.

We're headed to Baltimore for the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit.

We're looking forward to joining delegations from across the country and around the world to spotlight Rhode Island as an ideal landing spot for companies operating in any sector, from the , to , to .

2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit The Highest-Profile Event in the U.S. Dedicated to Promoting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)