Featured initiatives
NGIN
Working toward an inclusive economy with NGIN’s support
Initiative details
What makes an inclusive economy and how do we create one for Rhode Island? Developing an economy that allows each person the economic opportunity to build and grow wealth regardless of their age, race, gender, educational background, or other personal traits creates a system for everyone to thrive. The national New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) focuses on advancing inclusive economies across the country, and offers training and partnership to local communities and organizations. Compete RI, the Economic Progress Institute, Skills RI, and the URI Research Foundation formed a cohort to participate in NGIN’s competitive Equity Impact Initiative and will work to build a more inclusive economy in Rhode Island.
“Compete RI is doing the very important work of connecting people and organizations across the state and removing silos. To give the community insight into what is happening at the federal level, and to involve the state at the town and city level is a necessary task for Rhode Island to succeed, and Compete RI's collaborative efforts are making this possible.”
—April Brown, Organizational Steward (Director), Racial and Environmental Justice Committee
GROW BLUE
Uniting for a
blue economy
Initiative details
Though Rhode Island is just 1,214 square miles, our aptly-named Ocean State boasts 400 miles of beautiful shoreline. Turning to the seas for economic development has been part of our state since its founding, and the ocean remains an incredible resource today. However, stakeholders, citizens, and researchers invested in the future of the “blue economy” weren’t connected across Rhode Island.
The University of Rhode Island Research Foundation joined with Compete RI to create Grow Blue; a coalition working together to de ne Rhode Island’s blue economy vision and specific approaches to growing economic opportunities. With industry leaders from the marine trades, ports and shipping, tourism and recreation, fisheries, aquaculture, o shore renewable energy, and defense, Grow Blue is committed to engaging communities and growing economic opportunities for an inclusive and equitable blue economy.
More than 320 representatives from the seven industry sectors helped develop the Blue Economy Action Plan. Within the Action Plan, Grow Blue presents ideas, actions, and strategies to ensure that the blue economy is an opportunity for all of Rhode Island by the year 2030. With the potential to add 54,000 jobs in blue industries by then, collaboration and open communication are vital to ensuring a bright blue future. Grow Blue is dedicated to making this happen.
“Grow Blue, made possible by Compete RI, has unlocked a growth opportunity for the next generation of Rhode Islanders through the sustainable use of the ocean and our water assets to create a resilient economy and well-paying jobs. Rhode Island has the chance to distinguish itself and emerge as a global leader in climate and national security initiatives, with Grow Blue marking the beginning of this differentiation journey.”
—Christian Cowan, Executive Director, URI Research Foundation
RIPTA
A safer Ocean State
for all commuters
Initiative details
Each day, hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders commute to work or school by car, bus, public transit, foot, or bike — and nearly 60,000 people from out of state commute into Rhode Island daily. With this amount of activity, safe streets and more efficient transit are a statewide priority. Even with an increased focus on these issues, Rhode Island saw the ninth-largest percentage increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2020. More funding and support was essential.
In 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the Safe Streets and Roads for All program with $5 billion in appropriated funds to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. This was the funding opportunity all of Rhode Island needed.
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), with support from Compete RI, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline, united 31 municipalities to create one impactful application for funding across the state, highlighting the importance of transportation from beach destinations to urban centers.
Five million dollars in funding was awarded to RIPTA and Rhode Island through Safe Streets to develop an action plan to improve safety in 29 state towns and cities. Demonstrating power in numbers and the strength of our state when we work together, the Safe Streets award is an important part of securing a safe future for RI commuters — however they travel.
“[Compete RI is a] great model to help local communities take advantage of our once-in-a-generation opportunity in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
—Mitch Landrieu, former White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator, via X
Rhode Island is ready to compete.
Ready to innovate.
Ready to build.
Presented by Partnership for Rhode Island, a nonprofit CEO roundtable representing Rhode Island’s largest private employers.