Economic Development: Can Jim Bennett Save Providence?
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Jim Bennett was officially introduced as the city’s director of Economic Development Monday, nearly eight months after Mayor Angel Taveras launched a national search for the cabinet-level position.
Now he steps into a position hoping to immediately address vacancies in the downtown area, attract new businesses and convince existing ones that capital will be available and that Providence can be a business-friendly city.
The job, which will pay Bennett a yearly salary of $150,000, will also have him overseeing the new Department of Economic Development, which includes the departments of Planning and Development, Inspections and Standards, and Arts, Culture + Tourism and the Workforce Development Board.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOver 60 candidates applied for the position and Mayor Taveras said he interviewed four candidates from around the country, but ultimately selected Bennett in part because of his knowledge of the state and ability to “hit the ground running.”
“I am very pleased that Jim Bennett has agreed to lead my administration’s economic development effort. Jim is a remarkably talented individual with a long track record of success and has extensive experience working with businesses in Providence and across the state of Rhode Island,” Taveras said. “Appointing a cabinet-level Economic Development Director was the number-one recommendation of my Economic Development Transition Committee. This group of distinguished business and civic leaders unanimously agreed that this post was essential to supporting businesses and creating jobs in Providence.”
Bennett: I’m Honored
A Brown University grad, Bennett served as chairman of the Rhode Island Convention Center from 1995 to 2001 and was reappointed to the post by Governor Lincoln Chafee again in June 2011. Bennett said he wants to get to work immediately.
“I am honored to serve in Mayor Taveras’ administration and look forward to overseeing the City’s efforts to help businesses prosper, create well-paying jobs and put Providence residents back to work,” he said.
Bennett said both the Port of Providence and I-195 will be among his top priorities, mainly because the pieces are already in place for economic development in those areas. He said he will not have a vote on the Governor’s I-195 commission, but he is looking forward to working closely with that group to maximize the land’s potential.
Bennett said part of his goal will be to “sell Rhode Island to the private sector.” While the state may be small, he said its tentacles in the business world are far-reaching and that one idea he has is to reach out to trustees at Brown University to see if they could help bring business to the state.
“This is all about jobs,” he said. “We need to change the face of Rhode Island and we can do it.”
Councilman Praises Bennett
The decision to bring on Bennett was met with praise from several local politicians, including Councilman Terry Hassett, who said the new Economic Development Director has an “excellent reputation.”
“Mayor Taveras made an excellent decision to appoint Jim Bennett to lead Providence’s new economic development office,” Hassett said. “Mr. Bennett is a successful businessman, and has an excellent reputation. His ingenuity, pragmatism, and vision will help propel the city forward, as he uses his talents to build upon Providence’s many assets.
Welcome To The Team
In his short remarks Monday, Governor Lincoln Chafee also supported the Bennett selection. Chafee said it all comes down to teamwork and he is looking forward to working with the city to advance economic development.
“I applaud Mayor Taveras’ appointment of Jim Bennett as Providence’s Economic Development Director,” Chafee said. “I have no doubt that under Jim’s leadership we will build on the strong collaboration between city and state and advance economic development opportunities that drive growth in our Capital City and benefit the entire State of Rhode Island.”
Jim Will Spur Economic Development
Attorney and business leader Mark Ryan, who headed up the search for a director, said Bennett emerged from a large field of national candidates.
“We conducted a thorough process and interviewed numerous candidates from across the country. Jim Bennett emerged from an impressive national field,” Ryan said. “It was an honor to support Mayor Taveras as chairman of this Search Committee, and I am confident that Jim will provide the leadership we need to spur economic development in the Capital City.”
Council President Michael Solomon agreed with Ryan. He said the Council is looking forward to partnering with Bennett.
“The City Council looks forward to Jim Bennett’s leadership of the new Office of Economic Development, and will be strong partners in Mayor Taveras’ efforts to grow our local economy and create jobs in Providence,” Solomon said.
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