An Economic Opportunity 250 Years in the Making
NELLIE GORBIA
This week, a bill drafted by Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea’s office was signed into law, creating the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial (RI 250 th ) Commission. The 30-member Commission will work to promote Rhode Island’s unique role in the founding of our country and stimulate the local economy through civic engagement and tourism opportunities.
“We’re approaching the 250th anniversary of critical events in the birth of our country. Many of those events happened right here in Rhode Island, like the burning of the HMS Gaspee in 1772,” said Secretary Gorbea. “Commemorating these historical events offers us the opportunity to have thoughtful conversations about their role in our nation’s founding. It is also a great opportunity to spur tourism locally and and reap its economic benefits.”
The Rhode Island 250th Commission bill was sponsored in the House of Representatives by Representatives Kennedy, Abney, McNamara, Azzinaro, Edwards, Solomon, Shanley, and Vella-Wilkinson. It was sponsored in the Senate by Senators Goodwin, McCaffery, Archambault, and Pearson.
Members of the Rhode Island 250th Commission will be appointed over the next two months, and the group will hold its first meeting in the early fall.
