Commerce Spotlight
Chamber is at work on state, local levels 

Improving the overall business climate in our state is one of the primary goals of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce. Working on behalf of our members, the chamber is committed to a number of specific priorities, including advocating for specific small business issues that will affect our members, supporting industry sector projects that will enhance the vitality of the entire county, and supporting education and workforce development initiatives underway to ensure we have the skilled workforce we need into the future.

For many small businesses, the cost of health insurance continues to grow and is the second-largest cost to employers after payroll. The chamber is working on behalf of the small business community by participating in the Small Business Administration Committee on Health Care and by coordinating regular meetings with state leaders to discuss potential solutions.


Read more of this monthly column here.
daily news
In The News
Chamber and Member presence in the media
Executive Director Testifies at House Finance Committee on Minimum Wage Bill

When the Rhode Island General Assembly moves to pass the bills and budget articles that may raise the minimum wage from $9.60 to $10.50 this year, they will be met with fierce opposition from local businesses. The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce and the Rhode Island Hospitality Association all testified at the hearing.

Read more here.
NEWPORT COUNTY CHAMBER SEEKS A "TON OF LOVE" TO FEED THOSE IN NEED

During the month of February, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual “Ton of Love” Food Drive that is dedicated to helping the Feed a Friend Food Pantry at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport. The food drive, coordinated by the Chamber Ambassador Committee, benefits the food pantry that serves all of Newport County to help ensure those in most need do not go hungry. There are many in our community who depend on the Feed a Friend Food Pantry for their basic nutritional needs. Although many organizations collect food over holiday periods, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce schedules their annual Ton of Love Food Drive at a time when food donations decline, but the need still remains high. 

Read more here.

Chamber director will talk small businesses

The executive director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce will discuss the state’s business climate at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at the library, 26 North Road.

Erin Donovan-Boyle was appointed to lead the chamber in spring 2015. Prior to her appointment, she managed the Ocean State Tall Ship Festival on Narragansett Bay and was outreach director for U.S. Sen. Jack Reed.

Read more here.


Government Affairs
Issues that matter to you on the municipality, state and federal level
Under the Dome
Weekly updates from the State House
Q & A with Commerce

In an effort to maintain frequent communications with the organizations that are connected to Rhode Island’s businesses, as well as create a forum to exchange information, the RI Commerce Corporation would like to provide you with a ”Q&A with Commerce” article. Our intent is to provide this to you on a monthly basis in several different formats. You can use it as either as a stand-alone email or part of your newsletter or any other way you choose.

Community Project Mini-Grant Request for Proposal

Prompt: The Newport Health Equity Zone (HEZ) invites you to submit a project proposal for our Community Mini-Grant Project. We are looking for proposals that improve the health of residents in the HEZ through either neighborhood infrastructure improvements or supportive staffing. The Newport HEZ includes the North End and Broadway communities. In December of 2015, the HEZ collaborative members conducted a Needs Assessment which included surveys, interviews and focus groups. The data collected has been used to inform the content of this RFP and will be used to determine which project proposals are ultimately funded. Proposals are due no later than Tuesday February 28th at 11:59pm. Please e-mail all proposals to Olivia Kachingwe at okachingwe@wrcnbc.org. Proposals can also be mailed to 114 Touro Street, Newport, RI 02840 and MUST be received prior to the due date.

Find the proposal outline and more information here.

DoD Northeast Regional Council Training & Matchmaking

Join over 300 plus small businesses, government agencies and prime contractors at the 2017 DoD Northeast Regional  Council Training & Matchmaking Event to be held at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, Rhode Island on March 22 & 23, 2017  

This event is being co-hosted by the Rhode Island Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the DoD Northeast Regional Council.

The mission of this event is to connect s mall businesses with government agencies and prime contractors so that the agencies and primes can fulfill their procurement goals and the businesses can capitalize on immediate procurement opportunities.

Find more information here.
Pell Center at Salve Regina University Releases Spring 2017 Lecture Series
 
The Pell Center announced our Spring 2017 event series. Tickets to Pell Center events are free. Please RSVP in advance for each event on the Pell Center’s Eventbrite page, and call 401-341-2927 or email pellcenter@salve.edu with any questions or concerns.

This series includes:
  • The 1916 Easter Rising and the Origins of Modern Irregular Warfare
  • Racial Equity: What is the Call to Action for Higher Education?
  • The Future of U.S. Asia Policy Under a Trump Administration

Find more information here.

Upcoming Events
Events and educational seminars to help your business succeed 
Women in Business  After Hours
with Special Guest, Pam Hyland, CEO of GSSNE

March 30, 2017
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Register  here .
3/2/2017  Politics & Pancakes Series: Governor Gina Raimondo

3/3/2017  Chamber Connections

3/14/2017  EXPO & Job Fair 2017

3/15/2017 Cybersecurity & Healthcare Tabletop Exercise

3/16/2017  Business During Hours

3/22/2017  Leadership Seminar with Mary T. O'Sullivan of Encore Executive Coaching

3/24/2017  Chamber Connections

3/30/2017 Women In Business After Hours

4/4/2017  S.T.E.A.M. Before Hours at FabNewport

4/7/2017  Chamber Connections

Find more information about this month's events and register here !