Marcel Valois, Executive Director of the Rhode Island EDC. WPRO file photo.
WPRO Newsroom and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Gov. Lincoln Chafee has signed legislation that creates an economic development planning council to develop a long-term economic policy for the state.
The governor's office said Friday he signed legislation creating a 19-member economic development planning council. That was one of several bills in a package passed by the General Assembly in an attempt to stimulate the Rhode Island economy and improve economic development efforts.
Chafee's spokeswoman says a bill to rename the troubled Economic Development Corp. the Rhode Island Commerce Corp will pass into law at midnight without his signature.
He hasn't yet acted on a bill creating a commerce secretary.
Chafee also signed legislation allowing those out of work to continue getting unemployment benefits while participating in job training programs.
