Rhode Island Commerce

10/29/2026

As we pass one month since the inaugural Futures forum, we’re still thinking about the conversations, ideas and connections that made the morning so special.

A sincere thank you to everyone who joined us—from our speakers, moderators and catalysts to the innovators, researchers, investors and leaders who filled the room and brought their ideas and curiosity to the conversation.

We’ve added a special thank you message to the Futures website, along with photos from the day, and a sign up to stay in touch.

This inaugural event was just the beginning. We look forward to continuing the conversation and exploring what comes next.

📸 Explore the photos and learn more at futuresocean.com.

Proteus Ocean Group Eco Wave Power REGENT Craft OceanX Stefan Pryor

10/27/2026

Celebrating the Rhode Island small businesses who bring our food economy to life!

On Sunday, Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor joined Dave's Fresh Marketplace Marketplace for its Local Day event in Smithfield, bringing together 40 local vendors for tastings and a celebration of small businesses throughout Rhode Island and New England.

It was inspiring to meet local entrepreneurs, including Kristen Catanzaro, celebrating 25 years in business with Catanzaro Food Products Inc.,; Juan Carlos Porres and Brenda Porres of Salsas El Patrón ; and Cassandra Birocco of Great Aunt Louise's.

Thank you to Kenny Banalewicz and Dave’s Marketplace for helping to showcase the delicious creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that make Rhode Island special!

10/22/2026

Woonsocket’s Main Street is getting a festive small business shopping transformation this holiday season!

On Monday, Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor joined Mayor Chris Beauchamp, Skills for Rhode Island's Future, local property and business owners, and community partners for a look at the spaces being transformed into this season’s Merry on Main Holiday Shoppes.

Opening November 27, the initiative will feature more than 50 Rhode Island small businesses and festive window displays along Main Street storefronts. It’s an opportunity for entrepreneurs to reach new customers and Rhode Islanders to shop local.

Commerce is proud to support this initiative through its Network Matching Grant program. Thank you to the Woonsocket City Hall, Beloved Woonsocket, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, and the Woonsocket Education Center for bringing this effort together.

Special thanks to property owners George Stamatos and Youseff Bahra for making storefront space available, and BL Beauty owner Brittney Lemieux for helping connect this initiative with the businesses already calling Main Street home.
To learn more or submit a vendor application, visit MerryOnMainStreet.com.

10/22/2026

Now accepting Innovation Voucher Applications. Our Innovation Voucher helps Rhode Island small businesses maintain competitiveness through strategic investments in research and development.


Application deadline: 5 p.m. EST, November 3, 2025.

Learn more and apply here: https://commerceri.com/innovation-voucher/

10/15/2026

Rhode Island Commerce is connecting local businesses with trade expertise to help them navigate tariffs and explore ways to manage import costs.

On October 30, join us for a practical look at how Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) may help businesses reduce or defer customs duties. Scott Taylor, Member and Foreign-Trade Zones Practice Leader at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., will explain how FTZs work and what to consider when assessing whether the program fits your business.

Manufacturers, supply chain providers, distributors, warehouse operators, importers and exporters are encouraged to attend.

Friday, October 30, 2026 | 8:30-11:00 a.m.
Bryant University Entrepreneurship Leadership Center, Amphitheater
100 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI

Light refreshments will be provided.

Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VOYNNo79xk-Pto-qAMOicDQlNc2ZWytLhguaMTsNiJVURDQzNTdBNlBCRTY5RFNWQk1CSkgwR1I5Ti4u

10/13/2026

Rhode Island Commerce is now accepting Innovation Voucher program applications. Innovation Vouchers are grants that fund strategic investments in local businesses to catalyze growth through research and development (R&D). Businesses may apply for up to $75,000 in funding. Applications are being accepted through Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.

10/06/2026

Growing opportunities for Rhode Island’s food entrepreneurs!

Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor and the Commerce team were proud to support the opening of Hope & Main’s newest location, West End Kitchens. The new shared-use culinary facility will support food businesses at multiple stages of growth and is projected to help 50 new businesses get started in its first year — building on the more than 500 businesses Hope & Main has supported over the past 12 years. The initiative is supported in part by Commerce’s Innovation Network Matching Grants.

Among the many leaders at the ribbon-cutting, two of Hope & Main’s entrepreneur success stories really took the cake: Katie Potter of Newport Chowder Company shared how she’s carrying on her mom’s recipe and legacy, while Lorianni Lantigua-Rondon of M's Bakery Café reflected, “When I came here [to Hope & Main], I had a dream. Now I have a business.”

Congratulations to Lisa Raiola and the entire Hope & Main team on this amazing milestone — and thank you for all you do to advance Rhode Island’s vibrant local food scene and create new opportunities for small businesses!

10/02/2026

Congratulations, REGENT Craft! An incredible event earlier this week showcasing the capabilities of the company’s Viceroy flagship seaglider and Squire autonomous seaglider.

REGENT’s Demo Day brought together hundreds of champions, investors, customers, supply chain partners, and defense and government leaders to celebrate this major milestone, mark the opening of REGENT’s new 255,000-square-foot Seaglider Manufacturing Facility (the first of its kind in the world!) and explore the future of ocean-based travel and national security.

Throughout the day, Rhode Island was recognized as a hub of ocean tech innovation. As Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor said in his remarks, the Ocean State—including Commerce and Governor Dan McKee—is proud to be a partner in not only helping REGENT bring its vision to life, but also in continuing to advance our state’s robust and growing ocean economy leadership.

On stage, Secretary Pryor and Commerce Corporation President and CEO Jim Bennett joined REGENT Co-Founder and CEO Billy Thalheimer, Co-Founder and CTO Michael Klinker, alongside other national and global leaders for the facility’s ribbon-cutting.

Congratulations again to REGENT, and we look forward to all that’s ahead!

09/29/2026

Governor Dan McKee, Chair of the Rhode Island Commerce Board, announced that the Board awarded $820,364 in funding to 12 organizations through the state’s Innovation Initiatives.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.

09/25/2026

Yesterday, we brought together innovators, researchers, investors, and leaders for the inaugural Futures forum. This year’s theme: Ocean — exploring its challenges and opportunities, economy, technology and our future.

The half-day forum featured a dynamic mix of presentations and conversation, with discussions spanning underwater habitation with Fabien Cousteau Ocean Group; harnessing the power of ocean waves with Inna Braverman Eco Wave Power; seaglider travel and national defense with Billy Thalheimer REGENT Craft; and ocean research with Vincent Pieribone OceanX.

Futures created a space to bring people together, exchange ideas, break down silos, and explore what’s next. A tremendous thank you to our inspiring speakers, special guests, and attendees for making the day such a success.

Special thanks to Bill Bartholomew for serving as our emcee, and to Bryant University Global Trade Summit and Jason Kelly for helping kick off the day with our shared virtual welcome.

We look forward to keeping the conversation going and continuing to showcase Rhode Island as a leading hub for the ideas, innovations, and people shaping our future – together.