Federal Economic Development Chief Takes Day-Long Tour of Rhode Island's Economy

The head of the federal Economic Development Administration will be touring several Rhode Island locations today as part of a day-long tour to see how the EDA can help promote economic growth and job creation.

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse will lead U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams on the tour to show how EDA investments in the state are working.

Williams will also meet and talk with business leaders and local officials at stops in North Kingstown, Narragansett, Newport and Bristol.

In Bristol, Williams will meet with Congressman David Cicilline and leaders from composite manufacturing companies, representing the marine trades, aerospace and defense.

The “Composites Manufacturing Forum” at Hall Spars & Rigging will give Williams a chance to “meet with leaders from Rhode Island composites manufacturing companies to hear how the state’s composites industry is leveraging a long tradition of excellence in marine manufacturing to expand into fast-growing and dynamic new industries, such as aerospace and defense.”

The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association organized the event in conjunction with the Rhode Island Composites Alliance.

In Newport, Williams will visit the proposed Newport TechWorks business incubator — a project that has received $1.6 million in grant funding from the EDA and will transform the 33,000 square foot former Sheffield school into a collaborative workspace for entrepreneurs and technology companies. Newport Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed will be on hand along with other local officials.

The fishing industry will come into focus Wednesday afternoon in the Port of Galilee, which is home to 240 commercial fishing vessels and has been battered by a complex regulatory environment, rising expenses, catch limits and a changing environment.

Williams will tour the port with officials from the state Department of Environment and Port Manager Dan Costa to see recent improvements at the port, including infrastructure repairs and the replacement of 925 feet of bulkhead and 3,200 feet of pier space. He will also meet with business owners and fishermen.

From there, it’s off to Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown — a bright spot in the state’s economy.

There, ongoing growth has resulted in thousands of new jobs at the former Naval Air Station and Navy base.

The EDA has funded several projects over the years, including $6 million for the Zarbo Avenue Bulkhead and $4 million for the Romano Vineyard Way Bridge, which connects both halves of the park.