Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Visits Newport to Focus on Job Creation and Economic Growth: Attends Business "Listening" Breakfast, Tours Fort Adams State Park

Press Release

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today spent Friday morning in Newport focusing on opportunities for job creation and economic growth.

Governor Chafee first attended a "listening" breakfast with local business leaders at Salve Regina University. The assembled representatives of the business community used the event as a chance to connect with the new Governor - the first to ever address this group - and to discuss the issues of importance to them, including the need for Rhode Island to produce a skilled workforce.

"This morning gave me great encouragement for Rhode Island's prospects for job creation and economic growth," Chafee said. "The breakfast event was a terrific opportunity to learn about the issues that matter to a group of outstanding business leaders - particularly with regards to small business and to Aquidneck Island's defense industry, which is a key sector of our state's economy."

Governor Chafee then toured Fort Adams State Park with Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Keith Stokes, Janet Coit, Department of Environmental Management Director-designate, and Richard Licht, Department of Administration Director-designate. The purpose of the visit was to review possible infrastructure improvements for the fort, upgrades that would make the venue more attractive not only to the America's Cup pre-regatta races, but to other events, both sailing-related and otherwise, as well. The visit included a tour of the interior of the Fort, as well as a bird's-eye-view of the potential course for America's Cup racing events.

"Fort Adams will play a large role in attracting revenue-producing events to our state," Chafee said following the visit. "Possible improvements and upgrades to the Fort offer the chance to enhance what is already a tremendous asset to the state of Rhode Island."

"Today has been very successful," Stokes added after the breakfast event and tour. "It's always productive to hear directly from small businesses how the state and the EDC can better serve and assist them to achieve success. Additionally, the tour of Fort Adams was another positive step forward in securing the America's Cup pre-regattas in 2011 and achieving the goal of Fort Adams becoming a world-class sailing education and events center."

Source