Rhode Island’s high technology companies and state officials dream of
having a reputation like the Massachusetts’ Route 128 belt, where
cutting edge companies have flourished.
The dream is not that far-fetched.
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“Rhode Island is the same high tech community as Rt.128 or the high tech
community around Framingham for that matter,” said Tom Spillane of
Nestor, a software company in Providence.
Spillane, who joined Nestor after working for a company on Rt. 128, said
he understands the unique link between the two nearby states.
Like many in the industry, he thinks that Rhode Island’s high technology
businesses enjoy the benefit of a large high technology work force, the
result of Rt. 128. He also thinks Massachusetts stands to benefit from
Rhode Island.
“Silicon Valley has been pulling a lot of jobs out of New England so any
partnership between states here can only help this region stay strong,”
he said.
Officials from both states have been working to promote their own
state’s employers as well as the region, which is vital in competing
nationally for work and skilled personnel.
With less than an hour separating the two areas, the only thing dividing
Rhode Island and Massachusetts is the state line, said David D. Croston
of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.
