R.I. Foundation offers $50K challenge grant to encourage support of lean government initiative

SCOT A. Jones, CEO of Groov-Pin Corp., already has donated $10,000 to support the Lean Government effort. The Rhode Island Foundation is offering a $50,000 challenge grant to encourage private support for the state to move toward leaner government operations.  / PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS
SCOT A. Jones, CEO of Groov-Pin Corp., already has donated $10,000 to support the Lean Government effort. The Rhode Island Foundation is offering a $50,000 challenge grant to encourage private support for the state to move toward leaner government operations. / PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Foundation is offering a $50,000 challenge grant to encourage private support for the state to move toward leaner government operations, and one company has already met the challenge.
The matching grant is being coordinated with Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s “Lean Government Initiative,” which is intended to foster innovation in state government and promote a culture of continuous improvement. Her budget plan allocates $100,000 for the state Office of Management and Budget to establish the Lean process of improvement.
Groov-Pin, a Smithfield company, has donated $10,000 to support the Lean Government effort. The firm, which is a precision manufacturer of industrial pins and threaded inserts for high-tech, aerospace and industrial uses, instituted Lean principles in 2009.
“I know first-hand how effective Lean is,” said Scot Jones, CEO of Groov-Pin. “What used to take us 12 weeks to manufacture and ship to customers now takes just 20 days. Imagine the impact that applying Lean principles to state government will have on Rhode Island’s economy.”
Besides the challenge grant, the foundation, through its Make It Happen economic development initiative, also has awarded $50,000 to the state Office of Regulatory Reform to create a statewide electronic building and fire permitting system and $47,000 to the state Dept. of Environmental Management to create a permitting assistance center.
“Governor Gina Raimondo understands that improving a person’s experience with government is an important component to moving our state forward,” Neil Steinberg, the foundation’s CEO, said. “We are committed to helping state government work better for all Rhode Islanders and will match every dollar pledged up to $50,000 with an additional dollar to promote this comprehensive effort.”
Raimondo welcomed the challenge grant.
“Rhode Islanders deserve a government that moves at the speed of business,” Raimondo said. “This matching grant is an exciting opportunity to invest in solutions.”
To make a donation, which will be matched by the Rhode Island Foundation, contact Jessica David at jdavid@rifoundation.org.

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