PROVIDENCE – The city’s top economic development leader is leaving as the incoming mayor takes office.
Keith Stokes, Providence’s business and development director, confirmed in an interview on Wednesday that his last day on the job will be Jan. 2. Stokes did not offer detail on why he was leaving except to say that he was brought in by outgoing Mayor Jorge O. Elorza to help the city and its businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stokes has served in the city development role for just over a year, having been named by Elorza in October 2021. However, his resume boasts extensive economic and business experience, including a two-year stint as head of the R.I. Economic Development Corp. – now R.I. Commerce Corp. – in the ill-fated 38 Studios deal that left the state on the hook for a $78 million loan guarantee after the company filed for bankruptcy.
Stokes also served as the executive director for the Newport County Chamber of Commerce and as consultant for Providence-based Mayforth Group.
In his time with the city, he has focused on small-business support, including getting funds from the city’s $166 million stimulus share into the hands of business owners through grants, technical assistance and entrepreneurship programs. His final days on the job will include overseeing a $300,000 request for proposals (paid for with American Rescue Plan Act dollars) to study – and recommend improvements to – the city’s minority business enterprise program.
Patricia Socarras, a spokesperson for Mayor-elect Brett Smiley, said the incoming mayor plans to conduct a national search to find Stokes’ replacement and that the economic development position was “very important” to Smiley, whose mayoral inauguration is Jan. 2. Additional information, including about whether Stokes was asked to stay on under the new mayor, was not immediately available.
Stokes was hired at a $136,000 salary.
(SUBS penultimate paragraph with Smiley inauguration date.)
Nancy Lavin is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Lavin@PBN.com.
