Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - June 14, 2024

HOT

Remaining Cool Under Pressure

RIPTA bus drivers face a myriad of challenges on a daily basis.

This week, in the face of an extraordinary event, one went above and beyond. 

"A deer unexpectedly ran into a RIPTA bus traveling on Warwick Avenue in the City of Warwick,” said Christopher Durand, RIPTA interim CEO. “I want to commend our RIPTA bus driver, Leocadio Hernandez, for his exemplary response to this unique situation."

"His exceptional alertness and composure under pressure ensured the safety of all passengers. This incident underscores the dedication and professionalism of our drivers in maintaining the highest standards of safety and care for our community."

WATCH VIDEO HERE

HOT

One of the Few Interesting Ideas to Come Out of the State House This Year 

The Rhode Island Senate passed a resolution creating a 21-member commission to study and analyze the state’s healthcare workforce as it pertains to educating and retaining primary care physicians, including the potential of establishing a medical school at the University of Rhode Island.

“Rhode Island is headed for a crisis in primary care,” said Senator V. Susan Sosnowski (D – Dist. 37, South Kingstown), who sponsored the resolution, 2024-S 3165. “While we took important steps this year to address this problem as part of the Senate’s health care package, including monetary support for primary care training sites and tuition assistance included in the budget, more remains to be done."

"While we will continue to work on the aspects of the health package that address the coming primary care crisis, such as reimbursement rates, we also know that these bills are not a silver bullet. We need to explore every avenue we can to ensure Rhode Islanders can access the care they need.”

HOT

Porchfest 2024

Organically organized. No corporate sponsors, just thousands of people listening to great local musicians.

Kudos to Peter Evangelista and his team.

HOT

Vroom!

The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) and Rhode Island Sports Commission have announced that Providence will host an overnight stop during the 2024 Great Race, the world’s premier "old car" rally. 

The 2024 Hemmings Motor News Great Race presented by Coker Tire begins on June 22 in Owensboro, Kentucky, with 120 of the world’s finest antique automobiles setting off on a nine-day, 2,300-mile rally stopping at 15 cities before ending in Gardiner, Maine, on June 30. 

On June 27, hundreds of spectators and car lovers will gather at the Providence Marriott Downtown to welcome drivers, who are scheduled to begin arriving at 5:45 p.m. The public is invited to attend the arrival ceremony featuring local dignitaries, visit with the participants, and check out the cars. 

“We’re thrilled to have The Great Race back in the Ocean State after a hugely successful event start here two years ago,” said Jonathan Walker, the director of sports sales for the Rhode Island Sports Commission, a division of the PWCVB. “This year’s stop is a first for Providence, and we’re looking forward to welcoming drivers, car enthusiasts and spectators of this unique event to our city.”

The Great Race is returning to Rhode Island for the first time since 2022, when the race started in Warwick and finished in North Dakota. Video of the festivities in Warwick can be found here.

“We are excited to bring this unique event to Providence for the first time ever,” said race director Jeff Stumb. “When the Great Race pulls into a city it becomes an instant festival.”

IMAGE: The Great Race

HOT

Dan Hurley

There's hot, and then there's red hot. 

Dan Hurley turned down $70 million for the head coaching job of the Los Angeles Lakers.

GoLocal's Kevin Stacom, a PC superstar, NBA champion, and scouting pro, provided his insights. 

HOT

A Nice Little Park

Grant’s Block Park, a “pocket park” in the middle of the Westminster Street corridor of downtown Providence, officially opened this week in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

The effort was led by Buff Chace and his firm, Cornish Associates. 

“Grant’s Block Park is considered a third space in the city – a space where people come just to be, to sit or to talk. In fact, you don’t have to be doing anything to be in the space. Parks create a gathering place for neighbors and visitors to share a sense of community and togetherness just as a favorite coffee shop or bookstore might do,’ said Chace. “Our mission has always been to preserve historic buildings and in doing so, create a neighborhood in the downtown. We are grateful that we could preserve this wonderful Westminster Street corner as an open space for all to enjoy.”

"This new space represents how thoughtful urban design can significantly enhance our local quality of life. When we invest in open spaces, particularly in our Downtown, we are are prioritizing the long-term health and wellbeing of our community," said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. "Thank you to Cornish Associates for their generosity and vision in creating an open space that reflects our city's commitment to sustainability and community well-being."

HOT

The "Real" Return of PVDFest

Give Brett Smiley credit.

After Providence's Mayor attempted to change up PVDFest last year and move it alongside the Providence River, it was roundly criticized for a large number of failings. 

Now, the city is moving the event back downtown, and this week the city announced “early” programming details for the event in September.

From salsa — including a public dance lesson — to Afrika Nyaga Drum & Dance Festival, led by Sidy Maiga, and the return of the People’s Parade, PVDFest is back in the heart of the city. 

Now, it is incumbent upon the Mayor to oversee a fun, family-friendly, and safe event for everyone. 

NOT

Citizens Bank "Deal"

If you love corporate greed and elected officials unwilling to stand up to de facto govenment blackmail, then this $15 million gift to Citizens Bank rammed through in the 11th hour of the General Assembly is right up your alley. 

In the past five years, Citizens Bank got $90 million in tax subsidies from Rhode Island.

Citizens pays Johnston almost nothing in property taxes and tangible tax on its $285 million campus in the city.

Governor Dan McKee and legislative leaders Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio went along with the so-called deal.

Most objectionable is that the state did not even get a guarantee for minimum staffing levels. 

NOT

Rhode Island’s Economy Is Floundering, Finds New Study

Rhode Island’s economy is floundering —  and dropping, according to a new study.

While Massachusetts ranks third in the United States for best economies, Rhode Island is ranked 45th and fell seven slots from 38th in 2023’s rankings.

The study conducted by WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across three key dimensions: economic activity; economic health; and innovation potential.

The survey evaluated those dimensions using 28 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest economic performance. 

The data set ranges from GDP growth and the unemployment rate to startup activity and the share of jobs in high-tech industries.

More concerning for Rhode Island is that the data is prior to the failure of the Washington Bridge. Since the disruption to the infrastructure, Rhode Island has seen a significant adverse impact on small businesses. Numerous restaurants have closed, and some high-profile events like the Rhode Island Marathon have been canceled.

Separate from the WalletHub analysis, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training reported that the unemployment rate in Rhode Island continues to creep upward. In April, unemployment in Rhode Island rose to 4.1%.

“In order to determine which states are pulling the most weight in moving the U.S. economy forward, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 key indicators of economic performance and strength,” said the company.  “Our data set ranges from GDP growth and the unemployment rate to startup activity and the share of jobs in high-tech industries.”

Most disturbing for Rhode Island is that it ranks poorly in nearly every measure.