Details announced on gov's economic forum

From Governor Carcieri's office:

Governor's Forum on the Rhode Island Economy
Thursday, November 6, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Rhode Island Convention Center, Ballroom A
One Sabin Street, Providence
 
Governor Donald L. Carcieri will join national economists, elected officials, representatives from the state's colleges and universities, and business, labor and community leaders for the Governor's Forum on the Rhode Island Economy on Thursday, November 6, 2008.  More than 100 participants will convene at the Rhode Island Convention for an economic state of the state and focused discussions of the major economic issues facing Rhode Island. 

After presentations by leading economists and corporate consultants, participants will be asked to break into groups for in-depth discussions on how to stimulate the economy in the short term, position the state to better protect from economic downturns, and identify obstacles to positive economic development, reporting back ideas at the conclusion of the Forum.

Featured presenters include:

Paul Harrington, Ed.D, Associate Director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University. Dr. Harrington is a labor economist with more than 23 years professional experience in the fields of labor market analysis, labor market occupational informational systems, and human resource policy program planning and evaluation.

John M. Rhodes, Senior Principal with the corporate site relocation consulting firm of Moran, Stahl & Boyer.  Mr. Rhodes will present the critical factors companies look at when making decisions on where to locate or relocate facilities.

Jim Eads, Executive Director for the Federation of Tax Administrators.  Mr. Eads will discuss the relationship between tax policy and economic development. 

The Economic Forum will be moderated by Jill Schlesinger, CFP®, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of StrategicPoint Investment Advisors.

Confirmed participants of note include Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, General Treasurer Frank Caprio, among others.  The academic community is represented by presidents of several universities and colleges, as well as the deans of the various business schools.  Small and large business owners and representatives include Bank of America, Hasbro, Fidelity, Vibco, Horton Translations, among many others.  Labor leaders and community groups are also confirmed to participate.

In addition, Nick Pell, the eldest grandson of Senator Claiborne Pell, will attend.  Nick Pell is currently working in New York City, and would like to return home to Rhode Island if the state offered a stronger job market.