Costantino Unveils Plan for Creating Jobs in Providence
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Democratic candidate for mayor Steven Costantino yesterday outlined his plan for getting residents back to work, promising that he would turn Providence into the most business-friendly city in the Northeast.
His plan includes appointing a "jobs development officer" who would be his right-hand man on policies for economic development and job creation.
“I want the residents and businesses in the city of Providence to know that as mayor, I will be the Jobs Chief in this City,” Costantino said, at an event held at the CAPCO Steel Corporation. “We must set up conditions for our businesses here and those to come that encourage job creation. And, I will personally take the helm to ensure this gets done and gets done right. We need jobs and we need them now and I am not going to be the secondary person in this effort.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTo create jobs, Costantino said the city had to do more to help businesses. He said he would create a “one stop business shop” in city hall where businesses could get all of their regulatory and permitting work done. And he said he would pass a “15-day and go” rule, meaning that businesses automatically get permits in 15 days if their applications are complete and they do not receive a response earlier.
He also said he would appoint a “personal business advocate” who would help businesses navigate the city’s permitting and regulatory process.
In addition, he said he would develop a centralized database of commercial and industrial land that would match up businesses with available space—such as the 19 acres of land that opened up as a result of relocating Interstate 195. As for job seekers, Costantino said he would launch a Web site—ProvidenceJobsNow.com—that would list available positions for unemployed Providence residents.
“ProvidenceJobsNow.com will put Providence residents in touch with jobs and jobs in touch with Providence residents,” Costantino said.
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