Government
Well Spent II
We’re
highly suspect of anything the government wants to do, but this one seems
pretty good, no? Can’t quite imagine a Republican introducing this – too
busy voting to piss money away in Iraq…
On
Monday, April 28, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) will visit the International
Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) to announce new federal funding he secured
to strengthen Rhode Island’s marine heritage and revitalize Newport’s
working waterfront. This money will help increase the pool of skilled
workers for the state’s marine industry and provide greater access
to vocational training and sustainable careers.
Reed,
a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured over half a million
dollars in the fiscal year 2008 appropriations spending bill, along with
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), to support the restoration of the school’s
1831 Aquidneck Mill Building, a previously derelict landmark on the National
Register of Historic Places.
The
restoration will enable IYRS to expand its facilities for vocational training
for the marine industry, an important business in the state that accounts
for $1.6 billion in sales. This statewide industry currently provides
over 6,600 jobs, but there is a 10% job vacancy rate. The marine workforce
will need to grow by some 36% over the next five to ten years to meet
the current and anticipated demand for skilled workers.
Speakers
will discuss the revitalization of this waterfront area on Lower Thames
Street, which will also attract new businesses to the neighborhood.
The
meeting to be held Monday, April 28 / 10:30 AM at International Yacht
Restoration Schooln 449 Thames Street, Newport, RI.
