One thing that Rhode Island's small-business community cannot say is that Gov. Gina M. Raimondo has been sitting on her hands when it comes to helping more entrepreneurs be successful (an approach that is in direct opposition to that of her predecessor).
The governor and the R.I. Commerce Corp. have created a number of new business-support tools in less than two years. At least six programs, some new, some retooled, are aimed at the state's small-business community, supporting innovation, job creation and college-loan payment help, among other goals. In total, more than $25 million has been authorized for these programs, much of it spent already.
Of course, in a state with a gross state product of roughly $50 billion, that doesn't seem like a lot of money. But for small businesses, small amounts often make the difference between being healthy and shuttering the doors.
One thing to keep in mind is that even in a state as small as Rhode Island, public policy changes do not – and cannot be reasonably expected to – make a difference right away. It's not just that Rhode Island's economy is tied to the health of the nation's or its immediate neighbors. In many cases, businesses need to understand the new initiatives before they can see how they apply to their own situations.
So evaluating how effective the state is being in its small-business support efforts should be an ongoing process, and one that takes a longer perspective than, "What have you done for me lately?"
To do anything else would be just wrong. •