Caprio Changes Position, Supports Schilling Deal

Caprio Changes Position, Supports Schilling Deal

After his campaign said Frank Caprio had no comment on the $75 million loan guarantee the state is giving to Curt Schilling’s video game company, the Democratic candidate for governor told something different to Rhode Island NPR, which reported on its politics blog yesterday that he supported it. 

Caprio spokesman Nick Hemond said Caprio decided to back the deal after reviewing more information about it. “Frank had to do his due diligence as Treasurer before he could comment as a candidate,” Hemond said.

Hemond said his support of the deal was consistent with his advocacy of small businesses, which the Caprio campaign defines as a business with 500 or fewer employees. Schilling’s company, 38 Studios, is expected to create 450 new jobs in Rhode Island.

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“He’s going to work hard to make sure that this project succeeds because it’s in the interest of Rhode Island that this project succeeds,” Hemond said.

Hemond said the state now needs to focus on helping other small businesses by adding $50 million to the small business loan fund managed by the state Economic Development Corporation.