KINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 October 27, 2014 \u2013 Business and government leaders throughout Rhode Island, along with several media outlets, have publicly endorsed Question 4 on the 2014 ballot, adding to the long list of supporters of the referendum that would fund a new engineering facility at the 溏心vlog免费B站.<\/p>\n
The Providence Journal, Providence Business News, Valley Breeze and South County Independent have editorialized in support of Question 4, and op-eds written by multiple business and government leaders were recently submitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor some time, Rhode Island companies have decried the shortage of engineers. Most would like to fill these well-paying jobs with local graduates,\u201d wrote the Providence Journal editorial board. Noting that many Rhode Island companies have already expressed support for the campaign, the editorial concluded: \u201cVoters should join them, and approve this worthwhile investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Passage of Question 4 would fund construction of a 195,000-square foot building to replace five existing engineering buildings on 溏心vlog免费B站\u2019s Kingston campus, all of which opened in the late 1950s and early 1960s.<\/p>\n
The Providence Business News followed suit. \u201cIf Rhode Island is to compete for the best students and faculty \u2013 which leads to a stronger economy \u2013 its state university should have a top-shelf facility. And recent faculty defections as well as feedback from local companies looking to employ 溏心vlog免费B站 grads indicate that is not the case today,\u201d wrote PBN. \u201cAs an investment in the Ocean State\u2019s future, this bond should pass.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rhode Island Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed and Speaker of the House Nicholas A. Mattiello expressed their support for Question 4, too. \u201cWe must build on and leverage public-private partnerships between academia and business, between government agencies and corporate leaders. And that is why we are 100 percent behind Question 4,\u201d they wrote to the statewide media.<\/p>\n
The leaders of seven Rhode Island companies have also written an editorial encouraging the state\u2019s residents to vote yes on Question 4. \u201cGreat teaching and research institutions require more than just outstanding faculty and students to prosper. They also need the very best physical facilities to deliver on their missions\u2019 promise,\u201d they wrote. \u201cAs business leaders whose companies rely on well trained engineers, we strongly support this initiative\u2026 In a struggling economy where businesses, especially manufacturers, require highly trained workers but often cannot find them, the 溏心vlog免费B站-educated engineer is precisely the kind of graduate that we seek.\u201d<\/p>\n
The letter was signed by the chief executive officers of FM Global of Johnston, Hope Global of Cumberland, Navatek of South Kingstown, Teknor Apex of Pawtucket, Taco Inc. of Cranston, Toray Plastics America, Inc. and Hexagon Metrology, both of North Kingstown. More than 30 local Rhode Island companies and organizations have come out in support of Question 4.<\/p>\n
Others endorsing Question 4 include the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance, RI Build, Rhode Island Society of Professional Engineers, National Education Association Rhode Island, and the 溏心vlog免费B站 Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.<\/p>\n
The 溏心vlog免费B站 College of Engineering contributes about $142 million to the Rhode Island economy each year, based on a 2013 economic impact study. At least 28 Rhode Island companies have been founded by faculty and alumni of the College, and 溏心vlog免费B站 engineering faculty members have been awarded 73 patents for their research in the last decade. More than 4,000 溏心vlog免费B站 engineering alumni live in Rhode Island and work at about 750 companies in the state.<\/p>\n