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Smithfield-RIMES Manufacturers Partnership
The Smithfield –RIMES Manufacturers Partnership is a unique
public-private-non profit partnership between the Town of Smithfield
Department of Planning and Economic Development and Economic Development
Commission, Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services, and Smithfield
Manufacturers. This partnership is supported by a $50,000 USDA Rural
Business Opportunities Grant.
The
purpose of the Manufacturers Partnership is to assist local manufactures
increase productivity, profitability, and maintain their competitive
advantage. The technical assistance provided by the Manufacturers
Partnership includes activities such as the identification of business
opportunities and the development of business plans, engineering services,
problem solving and training, facility design such as manufacturing
layouts and material handling economics, and marketing and management
services.
The
intended outcomes of the Manufacturers Partnership are that value-added
employment opportunities are increased, the Smithfield manufacturing
industry is strengthened, and the economic base continues to be
diversified.
The priority need
for implementing the Smithfield-RIMES Manufacturers Partnership is the
increased demand faced by small manufacturers to compete within a global
economy with limited resources. There is a need to support small
businesses and local entrepreneurs with professional services that result
in increased competitiveness, such as those provided by RIMES. This need
is addressed with local, state, and federal resource, combined with
private investment.
The mission of RIMES
is to supply Rhode Island manufacturers with tools for sustainable
profitable growth. RIMES is a not-for-profit corporation supported by a
matching public/private partnership that leverages state, federal and
local support with client fees to help companies continually improve.
RIMES has received the highest ranking as a “Center in Good Standing” with
the US Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and
Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).
Contact the
Smithfield Planning and Economic Development Department for more
information about the Smithfield-RIMES Manufacturers Partnership.
Woonasquatucket River Watershed Greenspace Plan
The Town of Smithfield recently
received a $5,000 grant from the Blackstone Valley National Heritage
Corridor to implement the Smithfield Greenspace Forum. This Forum will
provide an opportunity for an inclusive planning process of public
education and public input into the development of the Woonasquatucket
Watershed Greenspace Protection and Implementation Strategy. The Forum
will be administered by the Smithfield Department of Planning and Economic
Development in partnership with the Smithfield Conservation Commission and
the Smithfield Land Trust, with support from the Woonasquatucket Watershed
Council, RI DEM and US EPA.
Notices will be mailed to residents of Smithfield asking them to
participate in the Smithfield Greenspace Forum. It is envisioned
that the Forum will take place in the Spring of 2002. A Date, time
and location will be posted on this website.
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