Governor Carcieri Announces Consolidation of Economic Policy Council into the Economic Development Corporation

March 11, 2008 | Print this page | Share This | Email this page

RIEDC to take responsibility for council management, bring focus to shared strategy for growth

Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced his decision to consolidate the Economic Policy Council (EPC) into an advisory council for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC). The advisory Council will remain in place and the Board will be chaired by Governor Carcieri. RIEDC Executive Director Saul Kaplan will continue as an EPC member and will assume responsibility for providing staff support to the Council. Consolidating EPC and RIEDC will ensure closer alignment around a single economic development strategy, sharpen the state’s focus on priority programs and will save the state money.

“EPC is an important body of the state’s business, university and government leaders and plays a key role in shaping and actively communicating a clear economic development vision for Rhode Island,” Governor Carcieri said today. “I will ask the Council to lead the private sector effort to improve our business and tax climate and to accelerate our positioning as a high-wage knowledge economy.”

“I believe that every Rhode Island company and every Rhode Island worker can successfully transition to a 21st century innovation economy that provides higher wage job opportunities for all Rhode Islanders,” the Governor continued. “To achieve this vision the EPC will support the RIEDC in implementing the key strategies of its Economic Growth Plan.”

RIEDC’s 2008 Economic Growth Plan set forth six specific strategies for strengthening Rhode Island’s economy:

“This is an important time for Rhode Island’s economy,” the Governor said. “We are at a tipping point and must move forward confidently to create a stronger economy. RIEDC has developed a good plan to accelerate growth and create jobs. It is time for Rhode Island’s public and private sector leadership to rally around a common vision for a brighter economic future and a specific action plan to achieve it.”

Paul Choquette, who has co-chaired the EPC for the six years, will step down from his position as co-chair but will remain on the Council. “I have asked Paul to remain on the Council and continue to provide guidance and input to our economic development effort,” Governor Carcieri said.

“I also want to acknowledge the ten years of service that Kip Bergstrom has provided to the EPC. Kip and his team have conducted numerous studies and completed several important research projects that created a strong foundation for our discussions about economic development across the state. I am confident that this work will continue to add value to our efforts for many years to come,” Governor Carcieri said.

Kaplan and the RIEDC team will oversee the consolidation process and will immediately begin work to merge the two organizations.

“Supported by an economic growth plan that increases growth capital, strengthens our infrastructure, supports entrepreneurs, and makes the road a little easier for small businesses, Rhode Island companies can, and will, create good jobs for our citizens,” said Kaplan. “RIEDC is working closely with our public and private sector partners to aggressively move toward this vision and to implement our Economic Growth Plan. The Economic Policy Council’s membership is an important partner in our economic development strategy and we look forward to better integrating the Council into our efforts.”