PROVIDENCE – R.I. Commerce Corp. on Monday approved $250,000 for the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation to support Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s Rhode Island 2030 planning process.
The Rhode Island 2030 plan is aimed at developing a vision and strategy for a more resilient, prosperous and equitable Rhode Island. McKee has held nine public meetings in which experts and state officials have shared thoughts, ideas and strategies on topics ranging from infrastructure, housing, higher education, tourism and health.
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay: Why We Need to Talk About Maternal Mental Health
Q&A with Megin Dalton, MD, Center for Women’s Health at South County Health Each May,…
Learn More
Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor said the planning work will be done in consultation with his agency, McKee’s policy staff, URI and contracted vendors.
Matt Sheaf, director of communications at Commerce, said the grant funding will be derived from the funds the state received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
Pryor said the governor’s R.I. 2030: Community Conversations meetings have put the state in a position to start framing policy and areas for investing in its 2030 plan.
“We’re beginning to see ideas crystalize,” Pryor said. “So, we’re getting to the point where we want to flesh out this framing.”
Pryor said the governor advised Commerce, a quasi-public state agency, to look within the state to use local resources and talent to aid and refine the ideas for the planning process. That led the agency to URI and its research foundation, as well as the economic department.
“We turned first to the University of Rhode Island – our flagship state university to conduct this kind of work for us. And we got a terrific response,” Pryor said.
Daniela Fairchild, director of operations and special projects for Commerce, said the partnership with the foundation will allow the agency to work with professors and researchers from across the state, which could include involvement from other state colleges and universities.
“I think we would like to use homegrown talent for a plan that is 10 years out,” said McKee, who was in attendance at the in-person meeting at the agency. “The idea is to engage our local university. So, we’re going to bring experts to help us with this planning process.”
The board asked how the agency would ensure proper use by the foundation of the $250,000 investment.
Jesse Saglio, Commerce president, said the agency has a history of working with URI collaboratively on a daily basis. The foundation will have a scope, including tasks and goals, of its work that will be documented by the agency before the work commences, he said.
Cassius Shuman is a PBN staff writer. Contact him at Shuman@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter @CassiusShuman.
