Establishing the Governor's Advisory Council on Manufacturing

WHEREAS, with the 1793 completion of Pawtucket’s celebrated Slater Mill, Rhode Island became a birthplace of American manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, with the 1793 completion of Pawtucket’s celebrated Slater Mill, Rhode Island became a birthplace of American manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, the shift from agriculture to industry that followed expanded the opportunity for generations of new Americans to join the middle class; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island showed consistent global leadership in manufacturing, from textiles, to 19th century machinery and jewelry production, to 20th century submarine and shipbuilding to today’s significant strengths in precision and custom manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, a changing global economy, increased offshoring of jobs, and the growth of automation have contributed to manufacturing job loss across America; and

WHEREAS, in the years leading up to and during the Great Recession, Rhode Island lost a higher percentage of manufacturing jobs than any other state in the country; and

WHEREAS, too many Rhode Islanders have been left behind, without work and with little opportunity to obtain the skills they need to get ahead; and

WHEREAS, scores of large and small manufacturers persevered and prospered in Rhode Island, and have continued to play a key role in the State’s economy despite these challenges and;

WHEREAS, these manufacturers can now serve as the foundation for future growth; and

WHEREAS, future economic growth and security demand that Rhode Island invest in reimagining its manufacturing industry; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s small size and strategic location are advantages in this new age of advanced manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders have the drive and ingenuity to spur growth and innovation in modern American manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, an enhanced manufacturing sector will expand job opportunities for Rhode Islanders of all socio-economic and educational backgrounds and re-establish Rhode Island as a leader in manufacturing and a beacon of middle class job creation; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island will be making strategic investments in enhancing its business climate for manufacturing and in developing stronger manufacturing workforce training programs; and

WHEREAS, an advisory council to guide the State’s strategy, policy and investment priorities to achieve these goals will ensure the expertise and experience of industry leaders and experts are central to growing manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GINA M. RAIMONDO, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do hereby order as follows:

A. There is hereby established an Advisory Council (“Council”) that shall exist for the purpose of advising the Office of the Governor and the Rhode Island Executive Office of Commerce (“EOC”) on ways to better support Rhode Island manufacturers, assess efficacy of and demand for new policy proposals, coordinate and market existing resources for manufacturers, and promote business growth in Rhode Island.

1. Members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve a three-year term. Members may be appointed for subsequent terms, and if a member resigns before completing a term, a new member may be appointed to serve out the remainder of the term. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
   
    
2. The Council shall consist of members from the private and public sectors and shall include but not be limited to:
   
   1. Representatives of the manufacturing industry,
   2. Members of the business community that interact with the manufacturing industry,
   3. Other stakeholders who possess experience and expertise in the manufacturing industry, and
   4. Leaders of the EOC and Department of Labor and Training (“DLT”).
      
       
3. The EOC shall provide administrative support to the Council.
   
    
4. The Council shall advise the Governor, EOC, DLT, and the Rhode Island Department of Education on proposed policies, initiatives, and structural changes. The Council shall also assist the EOC by providing guidance, ideas, and recommendations on best practices in the manufacturing sector.

B. The Council shall convene open public meetings at least quarterly.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

So Ordered,

Gina M. Raimondo

Governor