Business
Initiative aims to develop high-paid jobs
01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The state Economic Development Corporation has started a new campaign to increase the number of high-wage jobs in Rhode Island by building the state’s financial services, health and life sciences, information technology and digital media sectors.
The nine-month campaign, titled “Opportunity: Rhode Island,” is being paid for in part by a $30,000 grant from the Rhode Island Commodores, a group of business and civic leaders that support EDC initiatives. It will involve direct marketing, industry events and peer outreach.
In all, the campaign is expected to cost $75,000. Its goal is to increase the percentage of jobs in Rhode Island that pay more than the national average wage ($42,000) from 40 to 60 percent.
“Our Economic Growth Plan centers on job growth in target industry sectors that pay higher wages and provide workers with good opportunities to move from lower paying entry-level positions to higher-wage positions,” EDC director Saul Kaplan said in a statement.
As lawmakers grapple with budget deficits, the EDC has come under pressure to improve the state’s economy. Last month, the chairman of the powerful House Finance Committee, Steven M. Costantino, called for “major change in the way we do business — the way we support business — in Rhode Island.”
Last month, the EDC announced a partnership with a Massachusetts investment firm that state officials hope will pour tens of millions of dollars into local start-ups and growing businesses, The Providence Journal reported.
The Opportunity campaign is the latest outreach effort by the EDC.
“We are pleased to support RIEDC and the Opportunity: Rhode Island campaign,” Donna Cupelo, a regional president for Verizon and the head of the Rhode Island Commodores, said in a statement. “While significant job growth will come from companies already located in Rhode Island, it’s important that we continue to seek out attractive opportunities that bring new business and new jobs into the state.”
The Commodores’ grant will be used for regional industry dinners that will connect EDC officials with business leaders to discuss expansion and relocation opportunities in Rhode Island.
