Rhode Island’s colleges and universities are at the leading edge of science and technology, addressing critical issues that shape our world every day.
At Rhode Island’s flagship public research university, URI’s faculty and students are advancing transformative work in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and ALS, aging-related illness and other central nervous system disorders. Researchers are studying the development of a retina scan that could detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms even start, and partnering with a pharmaceutical company to investigate, and hopefully reduce, the brain bleed risk in life-saving immunotherapy treatments.
At the same time, this work will bolster Rhode Island’s investments in growing the life sciences sector, which currently supports more than 5,000 jobs and 600 companies in our state. URI can build on this important work to further meet the health care needs of Rhode Islanders, and the entire world.
At Rhode Island College, the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies is training the next generation of cyber defenders. Despite there being a ransomware attack every 11 seconds in our country, there are 2,700 job openings for cybersecurity professionals in Rhode Island alone and over a half a million nationwide. This workforce gap poses a significant risk for national security, local governments, businesses and our economy – but it is an enormous opportunity for Rhode Island. More than 70 percent of RIC graduates continue to live and work here after graduation, so the cyber defenders trained at the Institute will help fill existing jobs, defend our local networks and grow our economy.
The Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies will be a regional center of excellence and the hub of an emerging cybersecurity sector in Rhode Island. Its facilities will also be a resource for the state, providing a state-of-the-art security operations center that could be utilized by government and private sector for training, workforce development and cyber defense.
Rhode Island voters have the opportunity to support major advances in both biomedical science and cybersecurity by voting “yes” on Bond Question 2 for Higher Education Facilities. This will finance construction of a biomedical sciences building at URI, adding needed lab space for medical research and discoveries. And at Rhode Island College, bond funds will renovate Whipple Hall and provide state-of-the-art computer labs, dedicated cyber training facilities, classrooms equipped with the latest technology and secure data centers.
This doesn’t just open new doors for opportunities at URI and RIC, it will position our state as a leader in key sectors of the global and regional economy. Biomedical sciences and cybersecurity represent good-paying jobs, economic prosperity and better health outcomes for our state.
Marc B. Parlange is the president of the University of Rhode Island. Jack Warner is the President of Rhode Island College.
Yes on 5 to improve Blackstone Valley’s arts economy
In 2014 and 2021, Rhode Island overwhelmingly passed bond initiatives allocating $37 million to support the renovation of arts and cultural facilities throughout our state. That money went to fund capital projects in many cities and towns.
Among plenty of other examples here in the Blackstone Valley, grants supported by these bond initiatives have funded the extraordinary restoration of Woonsocket’s Stadium Theatre. They have helped repair and replace historic windows and other improvements for The Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland. They helped Pawtucket’s Mixed Magic Theatre to build an outdoor amphitheater, install soundproofing between theater spaces, and install state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment to support its performances.
Most would agree that replacing windows or installing new lighting wouldn’t qualify as “sexy” projects. But they are necessary ones – ones that have helped keep these beloved organizations operating at their best, and ones that have created hundreds of construction jobs for hard-working, skilled Rhode Islanders.
This election season, Rhode Islanders once again have an opportunity to show their support for the state’s vibrant cultural community by voting “yes” on Question 5 on their statewide ballots. If approved, Question 5 would issue $10 million in bonds to support three named organizations and continue the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts’ matching grant program that has supported dozens of theaters, museums, historic sites and concert halls across the state.
Even if you don’t attend the theater, enjoy a concert or pop into a museum every once in a while, all Rhode Islanders benefit from the increased jobs and spending in your community from these capital improvement projects. Because when arts organizations can put a stop to the drip-drip-drip of funds going to keep their buildings attractive and – at the very least – up-to-code, they can redirect that money toward more programs and educational activities that benefit our community (and the people of our state).
Our experience shows that these bonds are economic drivers, just like the arts organizations they go to support. Our state needs these investments, so we encourage you to vote yes on 5.
Randall Rosenbaum, of Pawtucket, is former executive director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.
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