Applications now open for Commerce’s Placemaking Initiative – offering grants of $5,000-$100,000 for projects that activate public spaces, celebrate local arts and culture, attract visitors, and drive business to communities across RI. Applications due Dec. 2, 2026. commerceri.com/articles/post/…

Choosing RI: recently, Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor and Commerce Corp President & CEO Jim Bennett hosted our “Build Here Breakfast,” connecting business leaders with resources to grow in RI. Thanks to everyone who joined us! Learn how Commerce can support your business: commerceri.com

Made in RI: Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor joined @Melissa_US @mfgri and state and local leaders this week for a tour of RESH's 65,000 sq ft fabrication facility in Woonsocket.

Economic Development Bond on the Ballot: learn more about Question 3 in an op-ed from Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor:

providencejournal.com/story/opinion/…

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, ho 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.

@FCousteau, @InnaBraverman, @EcoWavePower_, @billythalheimer, @regentcraft, @oceanx, @stefanpryor @BillBartholomew

On Sunday, Secretary @stefanpryor joined Dave’s Fresh Marketplace for Local Day in Smithfield, celebrating 40 local vendors from Rhode Island and New England. Thank you to the entrepreneurs bringing our food economy to life! #ShopLocal

Locally brewed. Powered in part by the sun.

With support from RI Commerce’s Renewable Energy Fund, @GreySail Brewing invested in solar that now covers up to 30% of its electricity use, with expected energy savings up to $10,000 a year.

It’s one example of how renewable energy ode Island businesses manage costs while generating cleaner electricity.

Watch Grey Sail’s story and learn how REF helped make the project possible: commerceri.com/renewable-ener…

Woonsocket’s Main Street is getting a festive transformation! 🎄Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor joined local leaders and partners for a preview of Merry on Main Holiday Shoppes, opening Nov. 27 with 50+ RI small businesses and festive storefronts.

MerryOnMainStreet.com
kstone, @NWBRV, @WoonEdCenter #MerryOnMain

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: commerceri.com/innovation-vou…

Rhode Island Commerce is connecting businesses with trade expertise to navigate import costs. Explore Foreign-Trade Zones and potential reduction of customs duties Oct. 30, 8:30-11 a.m. at @BryantUniv

Register: forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/Response…

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.

Read the Full Article: shorturl.at/6PJPl

Growing opportunities for RI’s food entrepreneurs! @stefanpryor and the Commerce team were proud to support the opening of @HopeandMain's West End Kitchens — a new shared-use culinary facility projected to help 50 new businesses get started in its first year. Congratulations, ire Hope & Main team!

Huge congrats to @regentcraft on an amazing Demo Day! 🎉

Celebrating the company's Viceroy & Squire seagliders and the ribbon-cutting of its world-first 255k sq ft manufacturing facility—a major milestone for the future of ocean tech & the ocean economy right here in Rhode Island.

Last week, we held the inaugural Futures forum, bringing together innovators, researchers, investors, and leaders to explore this year’s theme: Ocean. From underwater habitation and wave energy to seagliders, national defense and ocean research, the conversation showcased the aping what’s next.

Special thanks to @FCousteau Proteus Ocean Group @InnaBraverman @EcoWavePower_ @billythalheimer @regentcraft Vincent Pieribone @OceanX @BillBartholomew

Proud to sponsor SENEDIA's 12th annual #DefenseInnovationDays in Newport. Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor and the Commerce team participated in this 3-day event focused on growing RI's defense sector, advancing innovation and strengthening national security. #DID26

Applications are open for RI Commerce's Network Matching Grant program. Grants of $50K+ support organizations helping small and underserved businesses access technical assistance, flexible space and capital.

Apply by Sept. 18: CommerceRI.com/innovation-net…

Celebrating the RI Small Business Shopping Village, which gave 40+ local entrepreneurs a storefront this summer to showcase products, reach new customers and grow.

@stefanpryor explains why. Proud to support @SkillsforRI and @risbhub.

Commerce Secretary @stefanpryor, Commerce Corp. President & CEO Jim Bennett and our team joined two days of #BlueTIDE2026. From investor networking to on-water demos, RI is driving the next generation of ocean tech with Polaris @401TechBridge. 🌊

polaristechbridge.org/bluetide/

Rhode Island Commerce is proud to sponsor @BryantUniv’s 40th Annual Global Trade Summit Sept. 24. Leaders in automation, economics, life sciences and executive leadership will discuss what’s next for global business.

global-trade-summit.bryant.edu

#GlobalTradeSummit #RhodeIsland

Big Ocean Economy win for RI: Ocean Business is bringing its first U.S. event to Newport in 2027.

1,500+ leaders and 75 live demos will put RI companies on a global stage and drive investment, contracts and jobs.

oceanbusiness.us