Chamber stepping up economic development

BIG DIFFERENCE: Erin Donovan-Boyle, executive director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, says initiatives from Gov. Gina M. Raimondo and R.I. Commerce Corp. are offering more opportunities for small businesses. / PBN PHOTO/KATHRYN LUCEY
BIG DIFFERENCE: Erin Donovan-Boyle, executive director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, says initiatives from Gov. Gina M. Raimondo and R.I. Commerce Corp. are offering more opportunities for small businesses. / PBN PHOTO/KATHRYN LUCEY

Erin Donovan-Boyle is executive director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, one of the state’s largest business-advocacy organizations. She discusses some of the changes in the business climate in the state and new initiatives for the Newport region.

How is the economy of Newport County changing? Is it diversifying in ways that we may not see?

We represent Newport County. It’s all of Aquidneck Island, plus Tiverton, Little Compton and Jamestown. When you talk about the region in that capacity, there are tremendous industry clusters located here. Obviously, we have the defense sector, which is here, initially because the [U.S.] Navy was here. But their own growth has been exponential. And the marine trades. Those areas, with of course the hospitality and tourism sector as well, are really driving economic factors.

How is that changing?

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Because Newport is on the map for the hospitality and tourism sector, we’re able to attract businesses in different sectors, the defense sector, for example. A lot of the businesses that have started [have been] here for a while. A lot of people who started them were former Navy personnel. They loved the quality of life down here so much that when they got out of the Navy, they wanted to relocate here. The real crux of the reason why people are down here is the quality of life. Also, the Navy is such a driving factor. We’ve really seen the defense sector grow over the years and the impact is pretty significant.

What do you hear most often from small businesses, as to their needs?

We represent 1,100 businesses and over 50,000 employees. About 60 percent of our businesses are small, from zero to 10 employees. … The general feel is changing. For a long time … they felt that because they were small business, their voice wasn’t loud enough. But I do think there’s a different sense now. Because of the tools that have been passed by [Gov. Gina M. Raimondo], and [R.I. Commerce Corporation] and the leadership in the House and the Senate, there are a lot more opportunities for small business, when the information is given to them. We’re still in that phase, both the Chamber and Commerce RI, about how to roll out that information about the new opportunities.

How do you see the role of the Chamber in facilitating economic development?

We obviously offer educational seminars about the various aspects of doing business, from different human resources topics to advertising and marketing campaigns. We [also] have an exciting new initiative. We’re establishing an economic-development division, within the Chamber. And all of the municipalities, including Bristol, have participated in helping us to fund this initiative. Essentially, what we’ll be doing is hiring an individual to head up this division, who will help to develop programs for business expansion, retention and attraction. If people locally are having issues, for example, navigating the permitting process.

Is the benefit that the regional approach will retain businesses for Rhode Island?

We certainly don’t want to lose a business to another state, and the towns don’t necessarily want to lose a business to another town. But they recognize they don’t have everything in one particular town that they can offer. By keeping a business in a region, it’s not uprooting a family or the employees, and changing the whole structure.

What is your view of 2015 in Rhode Island, in terms of the state’s economic health?

There’s a general consensus and feeling that the economy has plateaued, and we’re starting to see a lot more opportunity moving forward. Economic health, there’s a feel that things are looking up. The leadership at the state has set a new tone. It’s trying to make a more business-friendly atmosphere, and it’s being perceived very well.

What do you see for 2016 in terms of Rhode Island’s economic health?

It will be very interesting to see all of these programs implemented. What will the impact be? What other progress can be made in the next General Assembly session? What other newer, bigger ideas are out there that we’re not aware of, that will come into play?

If you could, what one thing would you like to see happen in Rhode Island in 2016?

We do have a number of economic-development initiatives underway here. One of them is the Innovate Newport at Sheffield School project. It’s the redevelopment of the [Sheffield Elementary] school as an incubator and co-share work space. The project has been funded through the [U.S. Economic Development Administration] and the city of Newport. The Chamber is a partner in the program, as well. I’m looking forward to other state initiatives and opportunities to help invest in those types of projects, to help develop innovation, entrepreneurship [and] collaboration among different entities. •

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