The results of a survey conducted by the Rhode Island Technology Council may provide the strongest evidence to date that our high technology sector represents a very real opportunity for economic stimulation and development
The RITEC study took place last fall. It produced feedback from more than 300 respondents, both from companies that produce Information Technology as a business and companies where Information Technology is a key tool in the overall operation. Those companies, which responded to the survey, employ a total of about 28,000 workers. Based on its data, RITEC projects that the state employs about 10,000 IT professionals.
Among the survey results is the fact that many firms are in the market for venture capital funding and that several others would like to see an IT incubator park established in Providence.
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These are positive signs from a sector that nationwide has an endured a painful and barely productive past few years.
Too often, it seems the Rhode Island economy has been a step behind – whether in capitalizing on an economic trend, or pulling out of a period of stagnation. Perhaps now, the high technology sector presents an opportunity to alter that trend. Surely, the construction of a gigantic pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in West Greenwich by Immunex and plans by Dow Chemical to expand operations significantly in Smithfield, underscore what is possible here. Those projects are examples of home runs, which will create hundreds of new jobs and provide a boost to the local economy.
We see in the technology sector, a chance to add countless singles to those home runs. This is an opportunity for the state to increase its investment of time and money — and to realize a healthy and long-term return on that investment.
The state’s investment in recent years in the Slater Centers program has been a terrific success. Companies and jobs have been created. Technologies have been honed.
Now the state needs to dig deeper to cultivate a sector that has limitless potential. And it’s not all about money. A shift in attitude is needed– a shift toward changing an approach and demanding results.
RITEC suggests that Rhode Island businesses, government leaders, and educators "re-think technology education offerings…think about integrating applied IT learning into a broad range of curricula and think about giving more Rhode Island graduates access to technology careers through IT career pathways."
The technology sector is coming back. Rhode Island should not hesitate to tap into such an opportunity.
Mental health
coverage
President Bush now appears to be on board with Congressional leaders pushing for legislation that would require most group health plans to offer the same level of coverage for mental illnesses as physical conditions.
This means businesses will likely be required to increase the coverage they offer for depression, substance abuse and other mental ailments.
We cannot argue with President Bush when he states: "Mental disability is not a scandal. They deserve a health care system that treats their illness with the same urgency as a physical illness…We are determined to confront the hidden suffering of Americans with mental illness."
Nor do we quarrel with U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, who discussed the proposed legislation late last year: "Untreated mental illness costs businesses money in a big way. Rather than paying for it in lost productivity and missed work days, we need to treat the root cause."
Yes, we do need to treat the root cause. But the business community can not be expected to pick up the full tab.
The proposed legislation now excludes businesses with fewer than 50 employees from certain mandates, which should make it more palatable here in Rhode Island. But still our largest employees appear to be in line for further increases to their health insurance premiums, though mental health advocates claim otherwise.
We urge our congressional delegation to continue to work out the details of this proposal and to balance as much of possible, the burden of increased costs.
