Elizabeth M. Tanner |
Secretary of commerce, Rhode Island
1. How will you use your experience at the R.I. Department of Business Regulation in this new role? I started out working at R.I. Commerce Corp. in 2015, helping small businesses navigate the regulatory red tape it takes to own a business in the state, connecting them to various financing mechanisms and other resources necessary to start and grow a successful business. At DBR, I really focused on improving customer engagement with the agency through improved systems and processes. I am bringing that same mentality back to Commerce.
2. Does knowing there could be a new governor after November, with a new set of plans for Commerce, affect how you plan to lead until that time? Not at all. Our goals will continue to be consistent. We are laser-focused on getting the federal pandemic funds out to the state’s small businesses, which are still struggling financially from the pandemic. Additionally, we are working on negotiating and solidifying various deals that will benefit the state’s economic growth, including the rehabilitation of the “Superman” building.
3. How should Commerce balance dual focuses on incentives for out-of-state corporations and support for existing small businesses? As commerce secretary, I will be a champion for all of the state’s businesses, big or small, including those in the fast-growing minority communities. Through regular dialogue with business owners, I will identify roadblocks to success and institute the necessary policies to remove these roadblocks.
4. What do you see as the biggest challenges to the state’s pandemic recovery? We are consistently hearing from business owners their need for additional workers, as well as supply chain issues. Commerce will continue to work with our partner agencies, including the R.I. Department of Labor and Training, to develop initiatives that will attract well-trained workers to Rhode Island and build a robust workforce pipeline that will benefit our future economic growth.
5.What do you see as the biggest strength or source of future growth for R.I. in the next decade? Our 400 miles of beautiful coastline have positioned our state to be a leader and innovator in ocean-related industries, including offshore wind and the blue economy. We are especially proud that the Rhode Island Blue Economy Technology [Cluster] is one of only 60 finalists nationwide (out of 529 initial applicants) eligible for the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge’s $100 million grant.