Conference has public, private sectors talking development

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 4/21/15

Representatives from both the public and private sectors got a 101 lesson on Gov. Gina Raimondo’s new economic development plan, known as the “Ocean State WAVE,” from Stefan Pryor, Rhode …

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Conference has public, private sectors talking development

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Representatives from both the public and private sectors got a 101 lesson on Gov. Gina Raimondo’s new economic development plan, known as the “Ocean State WAVE,” from Stefan Pryor, Rhode Island’s first Secretary of Commerce.

Pryor was the keynote speaker for the “Building Public Private Collaboration to Promote Successful Mixed-Use Development” Conference at the Crowne Plaza last Friday morning.

Grow Smart Rhode Island, a coalition of business leaders in various fields, and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) RI Alliance Program, hosted the event.

As a special initiative of ICSC, the Alliance Program brings members from both the private and public sector to communicate on economic development that could benefit Rhode Island, specifically those involved in retail real estate.

The forum was meant to bring both parties together to discuss programs, projects and initiatives to jump start Rhode Island’s economic development and offer insight into how all can work together to see the best results.

Pryor was the first to speak, discussing what is happening on the legislative side to spur Rhode Island’s economy. A panel of four – Donald Gralnek, executive director of the Providence Redevelopment Agency; Francis X. Mahady, a principal of FXM Associates; Frederick Presley, West Warwick town manager; and Tom Wilder, a principal of The Wilder Companies – then discussed their own successes and expertise.

Questions were taken from the audience throughout the event.

Len Bradley of DiPrete Engineering, chairman of the Program Planning Committee, stated for a press release, “To be successful, projects must meet the needs of both the developers and the community. This can only happen if the public and private sectors understand each other’s concerns.”

Pryor explained that WAVE is only a “skeletal layer” of the governor’s economic plan, and said the state still has a long way to go.

Because Rhode Island has had a “lethargic emergence from the recession,” he said WAVE – which stands for Workforce Development, Advanced Industries & Innovation, Visitor Attraction and Enterprise Expansion & Recruitment – is meant to speed up the process to hopefully get the state on par with its New England neighbors.

The plan focuses on investing in higher education programs, loan forgiveness and high school dual enrollment programs to “reverse the brain drain,” incentivizing job creation and expansion, creating a “striking” tourism campaign to entice visitors to come and some to stay, and helping out small businesses in the state.

“We want to ensure you have the tools you need to help jumpstart the economic development of this glorious, small state,” Pryor said.

Some in the audience were apprehensive about the state taking on such a large initiative in economic development, referring to the 38 Studios debacle.

Pryor said, “One bad incident can’t stop us from investing in economic development. Rhode Island can’t lose its nerve. We can’t unilaterally disarm.”

He said the legislature is a “key partner” for businesses in making sure the state moves forward. He encouraged those in attendance to reach out to their legislators and policy makers and express opinions because “interest is high” among the members of the General Assembly to see action.

Lawrence Platt, director of leasing and marketing for Paolino Properties and a ICSC Alliance representative for the event, said Pryor demonstrated a policy-driven approach, “not focused on initiatives directly related to outcomes,” and the remainder of the event was to raise engagement and communication between those “stakeholders in the state whose jobs are to focus on the outcomes,” those directly related to implementing or participating and affected by those policies.

“We want to address the specific needs and concerns of the business community on all sides,” Platt said.

He said with the new state leadership there is an “urgency and political will” to drive action to see outcomes on “identifiable and measurable” concerns among the business community.

Because of this, he said it is time for business leaders from all sectors to come together and take advantage of this opportunity and work on improving the economic fortunes of Rhode Island.

WELL ATTENDED: Over 100 business leaders from both the private and public sectors came together for a forum to discuss economic development in the state. Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, seen addressing the room, explained the new WAVE initiative. (Warwick Beacon photos by Kelcy Dolan)

PANEL SPEAKERS: Pictured, from left, are moderator Scott Gibbs, Don Gralnek, Francis Mahady, Fred Presley, and Thomas Wilder. The men discussed their own experiences in the business world and then opened up for a question-and-answer session.

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