Tech Jobs Seminar at Salve, Apr. 22

Media Contacts:
Meaghan Wims, mwims@duffyshanley.com, (401) 274-0001 ext. 434
Meghan O’Connor, moconnor@riedc.com, 401-278-9146

RI Nexus Heads to Aquidneck Island,
Continues its College Tour at Salve Regina University

What: RI Nexus College Tour
When: Wednesday, April 22, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Salve Regina University, O’Hare Academic Center, 100 Ochre Point Ave., Newport.
Who: RI Nexus Program Director and Providence Geeks Co-Founder Jack Templin hosts a discussion with undergraduates about information-technology and digital media job opportunities in Rhode Island.

What's the RI Nexus College Tour?

Through RI Nexus and its College Tour, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation aims to forge a deeper connection with Rhode Island’s college students, with a focus on retaining the students in the state after they graduate. The RI Nexus College Tour will encourage students interested in information-technology and digital media to remain in Rhode Island to fill high-paying, entry-level jobs in the sector and to use the resources offered through RI Nexus — such as the job and internship boards and company profiles — to further develop their talent and knowledge of the ITDM sector.

At each stop in the College Tour, RI Nexus Program Director Jack Templin will provide an overview of the state's burgeoning info-tech and digital media sector, show students how to use the tools and resources of the RI Nexus community, and lead an open discussion on the program.
This event is open to the public.

For more information please visit http://www.rinexus.com/

First Wireless State Offers Endless Possibilities

The possibilities of one network for State offices, non-profits, hospitals, city/town services, small/large business, schools are mind-blogging. This could be a fact in less than two years, not just an idea-in-the-works.
The Newport C of C sponsored a presentation at the CCRI auditorium (neat place). A private non-profit group is looking for initial funding of ?28 mill in the form of loan guarantees from the Lege. The group would then finance this network privately.
It is now running on a trial basis with a few participators. From an economic outlook this would make R.I. uniquely placed as the first state to offer this service. John McDaid of Hard Deadlines wrote on more specifics (both of us were easy to spot in the auditorium - we were the GOOD LOOKING ones). Next week there will be hearings with the Finance Committee of the Lege (Reps). What happens here is all-important so stay tuned.
This possibility of a statewide network is essential to the sucess of our district (rather than Middletown's near-sighted focus on the dump). Town Admin. Kempen (Midd.) thought that it could also be a money-saver. It could serve the fire/police departments who now rely on communications often holding "dead zones." Another suggestion was offering it at the beaches (!).
Sen. Paiva-Weed attended and seems to be a backer. Jeanne Napolitano (Nprt) was also present. Rep. Crowley's help would be useful as he is on the House Finance Committee. Rep. Rice is sponsoring some lege pertaining to this. The Guv did include this in his budget. However, with ever-increasing defeceits, the Lege may not be willing to take on another one. Verizon is also lobbying heavily against this, although the possibility of their partnering on this enterprise exists.
R.I. would be the first state to offer this network. This in itself opens us to even more possibilities.