Rhode Island Commerce @CommerceRI

If your business was impacted by the February blizzard, the SBA team will be on-site to meet with you in person through this Friday at 4:00 pm.

Rhode Island Commerce @CommerceRI

a week ago

Attention small business owners and nonprofits impacted by the February Blizzard: the SBA has issued an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration for Rhode Island. The SBA has opened an in-person Business Recovery Center (BRC) to help businesses with the EIDL application

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Rhode Island Commerce today announced the start of a new application period for the Wavemaker Fellowship, a competitive student loan reimbursement program for professionals working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), certain design fields, healthcare and education. shorturl.at/Rwb3c

Attention small business owners and nonprofits impacted by the February Blizzard: the SBA has issued an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration for Rhode Island. The SBA has opened an in-person Business Recovery Center (BRC) to help businesses with the EIDL application process and answer questions. The BRC will be open through next Friday, June 26 at 4:00pm. It is located at the East Greenwich Police Department (176 First Avenue, East Greenwich, RI 02818). Hours of Operation are Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. SBA EIDL working capital loans are available to help small businesses meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These low-interest loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. Visit the BRC to learn more, including loan rates, terms, and eligibility, or visit lending.sba.gov/search-disaste…

Last week, members of the Rhode Island Commerce team celebrated its recognition as a Best Place to Work at the @ProvBusNews annual awards event. We are grateful for this achievement and proud of our team and the meaningful work they do to make an impact on the Ocean State!

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🚨Deadline for feedback: June 23 🚨 Rhode Island Commerce is seeking input for the next round of Opportunity Zones. This federal program encourages private investment within designated Rhode Island communities. Municipalities, community leaders, investors, developers, trade and building associations, labor representatives, and members of the public are invited to submit input here: commerceri.com/site-selection… 📸: Seth Holme

Was your business affected by the February 2026 Blizzard? Join the @SBAgov. Small Business Administration (SBA) for an informational webinar this Wednesday at 9:00am to learn about eligibility and available recovery assistance. What: The SBA has issued an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration for Rhode Island businesses and nonprofits impacted by the historic blizzard that occurred between February 22–24, 2026. Webinar topics: Eligibility requirements Loan terms and interest rates Application process and deadlines Resources available to support recovery efforts Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM Learn More: lending.sba.gov/search-disaste… Register in advance: lnkd.in/g8fe436s [us06web.zoom.us] @SBA_RhodeIsland

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It's GOAL time! The PVD FanZone officially opened yesterday, just ahead of the first game of the World Cup. Secretary @stefanpryor joined @PVDMayor and @GovDanMcKee alongside state and local leaders for celebration. Commerce is excited to support Rhode Island's Summer of Soccer and welcome fans from across the globe to experience all that the Ocean State has to offer as they cheer on their favorite teams.

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A major step forward for our state — and for our nation. Earlier this week, @Raytheon broke ground on a significant expansion at its Portsmouth facility. This $100M expansion will add 150 jobs, enable critical testing of its LTAMDS threat-tracking and interception radar system, and increase production of Patriot® GEM-T missile subcomponents. Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor Pryor and Commerce Corp. President & CEO Jim Bennett joined @GovDanMcKee, Raytheon, U.S. Army Leadership, and RI’s federal delegation for the celebration. Commerce is proud to support Raytheon’s expansion, including through the consideration of Qualified Jobs tax credits and enrollment in the RI Ready site-readiness program. View Raytheon’s press release here: lnkd.in/emerwzvN

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New speaker added! Dr. Shannon Gilkey joins Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor and @FaradayFuture Executive Chairman Jerry Wang to deliver opening remarks at @FountainHeadRI's "The AI Infrastructure Race: How States Compete, Build, and Win.” Join us this Thursday at the RI Convention Center for an evening of conversation and connection about the future of AI in Rhode Island. Learn more and get tickets: eventbrite.com/e/fountainhead…

We're a week away from "The AI Infrastructure Race: How States Compete, Build, and Win," hosted by @FountainHeadRI. Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor will deliver opening remarks to kick off an evening of conversation, collaboration, and insight with industry experts on the future of AI Infrastructure and how Rhode Island will meet the moment. There is still time to secure your tickets to this event. Learn more and register here: eventbrite.com/e/fountainhead…

Last Thursday, @GovDanMcKee, Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor, and RI Commerce Corp President & CEO Jim Bennett led a strategic Commerce Corp Board retreat. The presentations and conversations focused on current economic trends, AI-related implications and opportunities, and preparing RI’s workforce for the future. Thank you to OPC Commissioner Shannon Gilkey and RIDLT Director Matt Weldon for joining to share your insights, and to Baby Delight for hosting us. Together we are charting Rhode Island’s continued economic growth.

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Congratulations to the @mfgri on its Annual Breakfast and Meeting held earlier this week! A tremendous crowd representing Rhode Island's manufacturing leaders and innovators gathered to celebrate our state's rich manufacturing history as well as its inspiring future. In the photo: Secretary @stefanpryor Pryor, RIMA President and CEO Melissa Travis, and SBA local and regional leadership.

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Last Saturday, @GrowSmartRI held the fifth workshop with its inaugural RI Main Street Learning Cohort, focused on transformation strategies to revitalize and encourage economic activity in local commercial districts. Secretary @stefanpryor joined for part of the session, meeting Kathy LaPlante and Miriam Parson from the national @NatlMainStreet program, as well as having conversations with municipal staff and residents participating in the cohort. Thank you, Grow Smart RI, for this opportunity and your work!

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Rhode Island Commerce Corporation Awards $800,000 in Innovation Network Matching Grants to 13 organizations. Read the press release here: shorturl.at/B3Bib

Rhode Island Commerce is soliciting input for the next round of Opportunity Zones. The federal Opportunity Zones program encourages investment within designated Rhode Island communities by providing capital gains tax incentives for private investors. Municipalities, community leaders, investors, developers, trade and building associations, labor representatives, and members of the public are invited to submit input via the Commerce website now through June 23, 2026. Learn more and submit recommendations here: commerceri.com/site-selection… 📸: Seth Holme @195District

Celebrating General Dynamics Electric Boat “Signing Day” event at Cranston West High School last week. Rhode Island is preparing the next generation of our workforce, and these students are ready! Over 400 high school students from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Louisiana, and Virginia began their careers with General Dynamics – Electric Boat Quonset Point. @GovDanMcKee joined the event to welcome these new Electric Boat employees and their families. Congratulations to all the students who will begin their careers with the State of Rhode Island and General Dynamics Electric Boat/Quonset Point.

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Mark your Calendars for June 11th. We are excited to support @FountainHeadRI as they present The AI Infrastructure Race: How States Compete, Build, and Win. Join leaders from across AI, infrastructure, energy, finance, technology, and economic development for an exciting series of conversations and networking opportunities. Learn more and get tickets: eventbrite.com/e/fountainhead…

The fiber of our community! Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor visited @RISD’s Sustainability Lab thesis show, “Fiber Matters: Making with the Remainder.” Tatum Elaine Dodd used paper fiber to recreate elements of Providence’s Wedding Cake House. Congratulations to this year’s artists & faculty members.

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Congratulations to the @RIHispanicChamb on celebrating 10 years! Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor joined state and local leaders yesterday at the State House to recognize the Chamber's milestone year and decade of impact. Under the leadership of Oscar Mejias and the Chamber's board and staff, the organization has supported business growth, driven economic impact, and built stronger communities across Rhode Island. Congratulations, and here's to much more to come!

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