Governor Chafee receives a jacket from Galivm co-founder Luca Calenda. Photo by Andrew Augustus WPRO News
WPRO News
Five European companies have pledged to set up shop in Rhode Island as a part of their strategy to expand into the US market.
The announcement was made Thursday at the State House with representatives from each company in attendance. John Ryan, Director of the British-based anti-hacking company SCORE, said Rhode Island is an ideal place to expand.
“Rhode Island is a great place to locate a new business because it’s small enough to get access when you need the access to get something done Rhode Island is a great spot for that,” said Ryan.
Each company was courted to come to the Ocean State after Governor Lincoln Chafee made a trip to both Ireland and Italy earlier this year.
“It’s very important not only to try and grow your economy within your state obviously, and your region, and nationally, but also internationally,” said Chafee.
Governor-elect Gina Raimondo said the announcement will help in the effort to revitalize the local economy by growing it one job at a time.
“This is the way economic development is done.”
The Italian restaurant company Galivm said it hopes to have a business open in Rhode Island before the end of 2015.
