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Message from the President
On behalf of the board of Directors and the staff of
the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, welcome to the Chamber’s
web site. As you explore this site you will see that we are in fact
dedicated to growing the economy for northern Rhode Island and the
balance of state.
As you read our key initiatives, you will see why over
800 businesses consider membership in the chamber as an important part
of their business plan.
Key Goals and Strategies
for 2009
- Working with the
coalition members and other partners the Chamber will continue to
advocate for responsible Government spending and other tax reduction
strategies for the short term and the long term fiscal viability of
Rhode Island
- The chamber will
promote several ideas and potential solutions for tax reduction, tax
competitiveness and government spending reduction without compromising
necessary services to the citizens of Rhode Island.
- Seek legislative
sponsorship of an index bill that aligns budget creation with either a
Northeast Region inflation index or the U.S. inflation index.
- Encourage the
General Assembly to pass legislation defining a new school aid formula
that is fair and equitable.
- Work with the
newly appointed Director of the State Department of Revenue in
assessing the economic impact of tax policies.
- Monitor and
advocate for regulations and codes that are consistent and fair to
businesses including but not limited to Fire Code & Zoning
Regulations.
- Continue to
advocate for elected and appointed officials who will create a pro
business economic growth climate
- Encourage a
higher participation of our members and the community in the election
process
- Solicit names of
members, partners and their employees who might volunteer for Election
2008
- Organize a
Northern Rhode Island voter registration drive in 2008
- Establish an on
line “forum” for political candidates on a state and local level to
express their views on issue that are import to our members and the
community
- Produce special
features in Under the Dome at least once a month. These could include
interviews, guest editorials and other issues of interest.
- Utilize the
Advisory groups as way of informing local businesses on issues that
will have an impact on their business and as potential community
leaders.
- Advisory groups
will meet no less than six times per year and will include “State of
the Community” addresses from elected or appointed officials and a
meeting with the town/city General Assembly delegation.
- Monitor
municipal dockets in order to keep local businesses aware of municipal
issues.
- Strengthen
relationships with city/town council officials in order to increase
Chamber presence and influence at the local level.
Some
of the key strategies for Economic Development include:
The
Chamber will be an active participant in regional and local economic
development efforts.
- Continue to be a
leader in the Blackstone Valley Partnership.
- As the
“official” convener of the Partnership, a two state initiative, work
with other partners to develop action plans from strategies as
defined in the 2020 Action Agenda.
- Encourage more
local involvement from our membership in economic climate issues
- Make members
aware of local economic development initiatives like the Smithfield
Villages initiative in Smithfield, the Branch River initiative in
North Smithfield and the Tri Town Initiative involving Central Falls,
Cumberland and Pawtucket.
- Working with
other partners begins planning a strategy to promote Northern Rhode
Island as a region. Conduct meetings with NRI Planners/ Economic
Developers for information sharing and a better understanding of what
each city and town has to offer businesses.
- To help develop a
quality workforce, a key component of economic development, the
Chamber will work with leading local training providers, organizations
and schools to meet the training needs of local employers in the short
and long term.
- Conduct a survey
to identify needs of member businesses for training and professional
development.
- Conduct at least
30 seminars per year
- Serve as an
informational resource on workforce development issues utilizing the
Chamber’s website and other media
- Assist Chamber
members with state grant process
- Monitor and work
with the U.S. Chamber on workforce development programs
- Continue to seek
out collaborative partners to promote a sustainable workforce.
- Organize two
meetings per year with school based coordinators to identify areas
where the Chamber may be of assistance
- Survey the
Chamber membership to find out areas of interest and need relating to
Business/Education
- Identify
individuals to serve on school-based advisory boards, portfolio review
teams, guest speakers, job shadows opportunities and internships
- Collaborate with
agencies in an effort to promote a qualified future workforce.
In the area of
Networking the Chamber plans to:
The Chamber will
provide our members with opportunities to network in order to form
meaningful and profitable relationships with other members that will
help grow their business.
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In addition to our
signature events (annual dinner, golf tournament, Expo, etc.) we will
more aggrievedly promote our existing programs like Business After Hours
and Eggs n Issues.
-
Introduce 5 Minute “Speed”
Networking event no later than June 2008
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Promote use of web site
based Member to Member discount program
-
Examine potential of
establishing our third Executive Success Club (leads group)
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Conduct a Fall Membership
Campaign
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Reestablish the Ambassadors
program, (volunteers to help with retention)
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Explore possibility of a
public access television show that would present business issues to the public while promoting the Chamber’s message and raising the public’s
awareness of the Chamber.
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Continue with local radio
exposure.
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Establish plan for better
promotion of Chamber events and Chamber positions
John C. Gregory, IOM
President/CEO
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