Strategy 3: Increase the Availability of Office and Commercial Space
Rhode Island must increase the availability of high quality sites suitable for growth in target high-wage industries.
Action: Launch expedited permitting program for high priority economic development projects
RIEDC has proposed new rules to strengthen the agency’s expedited permitting process, Certificate of Critical Economic Concern (CCEC). Changes will direct the program toward companies that commit to keep or create more than 100 high-wage jobs and projects that create more than 50,000 square feet and have more than 50 percent of total space dedicated to new office, research or manufacturing space.
Action: Complete a market analysis of relocated 195 surplus land
The relocation of I-195 will make 19.5 acres of land available for redevelopment in Providence. RIEDC, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and city of Providence have partnered to create a plan for marketing the sites that is aligned with the economic development objectives of both city and state.