Rhode Island Gov. Establishes S&T Advisory Council and Manufacturing Partnership

Gov. Donald Carcieri last month announced two new initiatives targeting Rhode Island's science and technology (S&T) and manufacturing industries. On April 12, Gov. Carcieri signed an Executive Order creating the Science & Technology Advisory Council. The council, staffed by a team of tech leaders from local academia, private business and government communities, will advise the governor and General Assembly on the state's S&T priorities, as well as address issues that impact the support and growth of an innovation economy.

The council's first task will be to assess the state's current capacity for innovation in S&T and suggest recommendations to strengthen its capabilities. In addition, the council will support the state's pursuit of federal research funding such as the National Science Foundation's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.

Additionally, Gov. Carcieri announced a new public-private partnership of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) and the Rhode Island Manufacturing Summit. The purpose of the partnership is to develop and implement a business strategy to ensure the success of the state's manufacturing sector, which has lost nearly 44 percent of its employees since 1990, according to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

To successfully move the manufacturing sector forward, said RIEDC Executive Director Michael McMahon, the partnership will take an active role in assisting the manufacturing community by raising awareness of existing programs aimed at assisting small manufacturers, having successful leaders within the manufacturing sector serving as mentors, and re-branding the state's manufacturing image.

For more information, visit RIEDC at http://www.riedc.com .