Rhode Island is investing in its innovation economy with a focus on small businesses. It recently awarded more than $850,000 in funds to support eight organizations that are committed to working with local businesses with mentorship, advisory services, technical assistance, flexible workspaces and access to capital. Recipients include innovation studios and incubators like the New England Medical Innovation Center, Rhode Island Bio and Innovation Studio. The DESIGNxRI’s Design Catalyst program, which
was initially founded to support entrepreneurs in Providence, has also been expanded across the state. In addition, Rhode Island recently launched a new grant program to help reduce energy costs for small businesses. The RI Rebounds Energy Efficiency
Program reimburses small businesses up to $10,000 for energy efficiency measures implemented as the result of an energy assessment or audit.
Qualified Jobs Incentive Tax Credit: Offers up to $7,500 per job per year for up to 10 years for companies that expand the workforce in or relocate jobs from out of state.
Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit: Fills financing gaps with redeemable tax credits covering up to 30% of project costs for commercial office, industrial, residential, mixed-use development, ground-up construction or historic rehab for projects of at least $5 million.
Innovation Voucher Program: Offers up to $50,000 for companies with 500 employees or less to support R&D projects that commercialize a new product, process or service, support scale-to-market development or new expertise.
Rhode Island Commerce
commerceri.com
Division of Statewide Planning
planning.ri.gov
City of Providence Business Portal
providenceeconomicdevelopment.net/business-portal/index.php
City of Warwick Department of Economic Development
movetowarwickri.com
DESIGNxRI’s Design Catalyst program has funded the efforts of Providence-based entrepreneurs since it launched in 2016. It is now expanding to support innovators across Rhode Island. Selected entrepreneurs will receive awards of up to $15,000. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $1.29 million to 81 businesses.
Five Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state:
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
