In his continuing effort to address the fiscal challenges of  Rhode Island ’s cities and towns, Governor Chafee will host a community forum this week to hear from local small businesses and discuss ways to help them succeed, grow the economy, and create jobs for Rhode Islanders.

As part of Governor Chafee's focus for FY 2013 as the "Year of the Cities and Towns," he will be joined at the forum by South Kingstown Council President Ella M. Whaley, RIEDC staff, the U.S. Small Business Administration, RI Department of Labor and Training, Ocean State Business Development Authority and RI Small Business Development Center. Representatives from Governor Chafee’s Office and participating agencies will be on-hand to answer questions and schedule follow-up one-on-one appointments with participants.

Governor Chafee believes that small businesses are the backbone of  Rhode Island  communities and that their success will be a key factor in the revitalization of the state’s cities and towns.

Forum discussions will review state programs and initiatives developed for: a) providing greater access to financing and credit for small businesses; b) making it easier to do business by creating clear, predictable and reliable regulatory and permitting processes; c) revitalizing urban communities and businesses; and d) energy efficiency programs to help businesses operate more cost effectively.

Friday, March 2, 2012 from 8:30-10:00 a.m.

Palisades  Mill,  1174 Kingstown Rd., South   Kingstown  (Peacedale)

Governor’s Office

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee
Abby Swienton, Policy & Legislative Analyst

Economic Development Corporation

Keith Stokes, Executive Director

Chris Cannata, Financial Services Client Relations Manager

Leslie Taito, Director of Regulatory and Quality Management 

Department of Labor and Training

Connie Parks, Chief of Labor & Training Programs, Dept. of Labor and Training,  Business Workforce   Center

Business Development Partners      

Normand Deragon, Economic Development Specialist, RI District Office of the  U.S.  Small Business Administration (SBA)

Henry A. "Bud" Violet, President,  Ocean   State  Business Development Authority

Ardena Lee-Fleming ,  Central   RI  Regional Director,  Small   Business   Development   Center

South Kingstown  

Ella M. Whaley, President,  South Kingstown  Town Council

Clay Johnson, President, South  County   Chamber of Commerce

Contacts:       Town of  South Kingstown , Vin Murray, 401.789.9331