11 to Watch in 2011: Curt Schilling

Curt Schilling The Red Sox legend’s pitch for bringing his video game company to the state struck out with the public. But Rhode Islanders stand to gain a lot from the deal—a new technology industry, a revitalized downtown Providence, and perhaps just the shot in the arm that the economy needs. The stakes are huge—$75 million in taxpayer-funded loan guarantees is on the line and Schilling will be fined if he fails to produce even one of the hundreds of jobs he says he can create.

While Schilling rewrote Red Sox lore by pitching the Sox to their first title in 86 years, the fate of his leadership and 38 Studios may be more profound. If, that is, he is indeed the spark that reinvents Rhode Island’s economy and serves as a magnet to attracting additional technology companies.

New jobs, new attitude and a winning business success could be a major boost to Rhode Island’s economy and its psyche.

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If Schilling and 38 Studios fail, the combination of adverse economic impact coupled with the loss of the state’s confidence would rival the Sox collapse of 1986.

Schilling and 38 Studios are one of the 11 to watch in 2011 – if they succeed, their impact will be much like the celebrated 2004 Red Sox – immortal.
 

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