Update: See the good news below - thanks, everyone, for your support!

This bill proposes to do away with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation you know today with NO PLAN to put anything in it's place. Yes, do away with economic development in the midst of the state's biggest recession in recent years.

This includes all of the business development, community creation, social networking and other programs that EDC has sponsored over the last few years to help the ITDM community crystallize including RI Nexus, Every Company Counts, and the new Green Economy efforts we are undertaking, as well as the sector specific work that I and other my business development peers do with your individual companies.

If you (like me) believe this is a bad move for RI, particularly in a down economy, which will set us back even further than we are today and sends a bad message to both businesses inside and outside the state please contact your local representatives and let them know!

This bill is scheduled to be voted in the house Wed (June 24) and in the senate after that. Make your voice heard and help save the programs and organization that has been central to the coming together of the Geeks community and ITDM sector in this state.