Providence has undergone an amazing evolution in the last decade. The proof is found not just in the millions of dollars invested in Capital Center, impressive and important as those towers are. We are also beginning to appreciate the entrepreneurial spark created by groups like the Providence Geeks and the Business Innovation Factory. But more is needed to capitalize on that spark and excel in the globally competitive 21st century...

...The good news is that Providence has a tremendous inventory of assets to build upon, including world-class educational, medical and cultural institutions. Recognizing these strengths, a group of business, civic, public sector and educational leaders began serious discussions early in 2007 to discuss ways to leverage our assets.

What emerged from that gathering was an agreement to collaborate among a group of key partners in the “knowledge-based economy,” including the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, The Providence Foundation, Lifespan, Care New England, Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence College, Johnson & Wales University, the R.I. Science and Technology Advisory Council, the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council, The Rhode Island Foundation, CB Richard Ellis, Nortek, the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Independent Higher Education Association and others.

Our consortium of local leaders has enlisted the aid of New Economy Strategies LLC (NES), a nationally renowned economic consulting firm, to help Providence connect the dots between our institutional assets and create an entrepreneurial network that stimulates new jobs in the knowledge economy...

...NES will identify a small number of primary target areas for our economic development focus. The targets will be in business sectors in which we can have a competitive advantage and differentiate the city and state from other regions...

...Providence never has undertaken this kind of collaboration before – but other cities have, including San Diego, Philadelphia, Detroit and Houston. Working together, it can work here as well.

You can participate in this effort today. Please take a few moments to take our “Knowledge-Based Economy Survey” at www.ProvidenceChamber.com and become a part of the next phase of the Providence transformation.