The blueprint to revitalize urban communities follows the RIEDC Boards approval in March of plans to provide better access to capital for businesses and streamline state and local regulatory processes. The multi-pronged effort is part of a comprehensive strategy to improve Rhode Islands business climate and accelerate job growth.
As a former mayor of Rhode Islands second largest city, I understand the many challenges municipalities and local small businesses face. Our urban areas have great potential to be engines of economic expansion and job creation for the entire state, Governor Chafee said. I am pleased that today we are taking steps toward providing coordination at the state, municipal and neighborhood level to support locally-initiated redevelopment opportunities and help urban small businesses succeed.
The RIEDC Boards Urban Revitalization subcommittee and RIEDC staff have worked over the past several months with the Governors Office, municipalities and various community and business stakeholders to develop a roadmap for establishing a community-driven demonstration program in selected Main Street Corridor Districts within Rhode Islands five most distressed urban municipalities which include: Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, West Warwick, and Woonsocket.
The plan sets clear, adaptable and measurable action steps to: a) increase access to urban small business financing and technical assistance, b) better coordinate government services, c) support community-initiated, mixed-use redevelopment, d) encourage private investment, and e) position urban communities as attractive places to live, work and visit.
By working with state agencies, local officials, neighborhood leaders and other stakeholders, well be able to pool our energies and resources to provide an economic shot in the arm to Main Street Corridor Districts that can become models for urban revitalization throughout the state. Our goal is to empower small businesses and community groups to make their communities exciting centers of entrepreneurial activity, cultural vibrancy and smart urban planning, said Jerauld Adams, member of the RIEDC Boards Urban Revitalization subcommittee and President of North American Industries.
Were taking significant steps to harness the vitality of Rhode Islands urban centers to generate economic growth statewide. Our urban communities already have the concentrated workforce, market opportunities, infrastructure and cultural assets in place to attract capital investment, said RIEDC Executive Director Keith Stokes. With our partners, we will build on these strengths so small businesses can better access the financial, technical support and workforce training tools they need. We now have a game plan to align existing federal, state and local resources that will create new job and redevelopment opportunities within Rhode Islands urban areas and surrounding communities.