Robert Davis | Vice chairman, Interstate 195 Redevelopment District Commission
1. What made you decide to accept the position on the I-195 Commission? I have always felt that a citizen has an obligation to give service to the community. When I was working, I had little time to contribute. Partial retirement has given me the opportunity. Virtually all of my 40-year career in law has been devoted to commercial real estate, particularly its development. So, with this background, a position on the commission seemed like a natural fit.
2. As vice chairman, where have you spent most of your energy? From early on, [Chairman Joe Azrack] has asked me to take on specific assignments … creating an administrative process for the issuance of tax-stabilization agreements for land within the I-195 district. This is a critical element in attracting large-scale development to the district. … I also worked extensively … on a range of complex legal and development issues.
3. How does the Rhode Island market compare with others in the region in its potential to attract new business? The Boston market is obviously very strong and deep but being as near to it as Providence … is a special asset unto itself. As the Greater Boston market inevitably spills over, Rhode Island is in a unique position to benefit.
4. What assets do we have that can be capitalized on to attract business? Rhode Island has … great physical assets ... reasonably priced housing, a good transportation network and, of course, world-class beaches and abundance of recreational facilities. Rhode Island has great colleges and universities, both private and public. It also has great people who are capable and hardworking. The governor and her team have done a great job in bringing this message to out-of-state employers and they are taking notice. … Importantly, in-state companies are also choosing to expand here.
5. What will help the commission’s efforts to grow the district? One, to train and educate the state’s workforce. Employers stay and want to come to communities and states that have a strong commitment to maintaining and enhancing the needed workforce. Two, to continue to improve the transparency and the efficiency of the governmental-approval processes. … Three, to fund incentives necessary to attract new businesses. These incentives are critical to attract large-scale users and the startups that can grow.
