Ian Donnis

Governor Lincoln Chafee’s choice to lead the state Economic Development Corporation appears on a fast-track to approval, following his unanimous approval Tuesday by a state Senate committee.  Marcel Valois is calling for more support for small innovators and entrepreneurs.

Valois says Rhode Island’s business climate doesn’t have to remain the butt of bad ratings in national surveys. Invoking the state motto of “hope,” he says Rhode Island can prosper by bringing a sharper focus and new approach to economic development.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee’s choice to lead the state Economic Development Corporation faces approval by a state Senate committee Tuesday. The vote comes amid debate over whether to reorganize the EDC.

Chafee’s choice, Marcel Valois led the EDC back in the 1990’s during Lincoln Almond’s tenure as governor. Valois is the vice president of an economic foundation. He was previously chief operating officer of the Penske Automotive Group.

Two of the candidates hoping to succeed Angel Taveras as mayor of Providence have posted Web sites to offer visibility, attract supporters, and raise money.

Council President Michael Solomon's site is called Mike for Providence.

Capellan, an educator in Central Falls and veteran of Providence politics, is a bit more oblique with his eponymous site (although not so much with a background shot of the Providence skyline, including the now-vacant Superman Building).

In a move that will be interpreted as a kiss to the leadership of the state Senate, Governor Lincoln Chafee on Friday unveiled his nomination of former Senate president Joseph Montalbano as a Superior Court judge. Chafee is also nominating Patricia Asquith as associate justice of the Family Court.

Via statement:

Colin Kane, chairman of the I-195 Redevelopment Commission, joins the Roundtable this week to talk about what's next for the land made available by the relocation of I-195, debate over the future of the state Economic Development Corporation, and other topics.

Colin Kane, chairman of the I-195 redevelopment commission, joins us on Bonus Q+A to talk about development, Providence, and what's next for the land made available by the relocation of Interstate 195.

Guillaume de Ramel, who ran a competitive race for secretary of state in 2006 and whose interest in taking another shot was reported here last July, on Thursday formally announced plans for another campaign for secretary of state.

Via news release:

A state commission formed to preserve and expand defense-related businesses in Rhode Island holds its latest meeting Thursday.

The Defense Economy Planning Commission was created in 2010. The 25-member panel includes state legislators, as well as representatives of private businesses, the National Guard, chambers of commerce, and branches of state government.

Former treasurer Frank Caprio continues his comeback tour with the obligatory denunciation of his "shove it" remark during the 2010 gubernatorial race, courtesy of a Wednesday column by ProJo political columnist Ed Fitzpatrick.

The commission charting the redevelopment of about 20 acres made available by the relocation of Interstate 195 has hired an executive director.  The vacant land is viewed as a source of economic growth in Providence.

Jan Brodie was chosen after the I-195 Commission conducted a six-month search. She’s due to start work as the commission’s executive director May 20th.