on 09-24-2009 03:15

By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — The city's manufacturers are invited to attend a Business Summit, hosted by Mayor James E. Doyle and his administration, that is geared to regulatory and operational issues in that specific sector.

The Manufacturers' Business Summit will be held on Monday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ground Round, 2 George St., Pawtucket. Lunch will be provided. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by contacting Herb Weiss, Economic and Cultural Affairs Officer, at 724-5200 or by e-mail to weissh@psdri.net This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The idea for a summit designed specifically for manufacturers sprang from a general Business Summit that was held last February by the Doyle Administration to listen to the concerns of local business owners. Faced with one of the worst economic recessions in 80 years, it gave the owners a chance to ask questions, vent frustrations, and learn about some of the local, state and federal economic development programs and resources that are available to businesses.
At the February meeting, Richard Sugerman, the owner of Providence Metalizing Co., Inc. on Fairlawn Avenue, suggested that it would be helpful to have another such meeting to specifically address manufacturers' concerns.
The mayor agreed, and has invited city, state and federal officials, along with business organizations, to the Oct. 5 summit provide specifics on programs and services.
In an invitational letter that was sent to some 80 local manufacturers, Doyle outlined the summit and stated, “I am very interested in learning more about the regulatory and operational issues that impact  the daily operations of your manufacturing company.” He added, “We hope to explore ideas on how the city can streamline our regulatory process (while ensuring safety) to assist your business.”
Doyle added that, after the February summit, he directed the Department of Planning and Redevelopment to create a website that would provide details about city and state economic development programs.
Michael Cassidy, Pawtucket's Planning Director, said that representatives will be on hand from the Federal Small Business Administration, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, RIMES, a non-profit organization which provides technical assistance and manufacturing solutions; the Pawtucket Planning and Redevelopment Agency and other city officials and department heads who are involved in economic development.
“We are prepared to have a conversation with local manufacturers to see what their concerns are, answer questions, and provide information on opportunities that are available at the state and federal level,” noted Cassidy. He added that similar summits might be planned to target other specific sectors such as retailers or restaurants.
Sugerman said he thinks it is important for the city's manufacturers to come together in a forum to share ideas and concerns. “Pawtucket has a long history of manufacturing and we want manufacturing to continue to be vital,” he said. He added that the summit will serve a twofold purpose: to provide business owners with information on the help that is available and also to let the owners share their views with city officials. “We want to work together to foster a better manufacturing community in Pawtucket,” he added.