Governor Chafee, the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, Governor-Elect Raimondo Make an International Business Announcement

PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Lincoln D. Chafee, joined by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressmen James Langevin and David Cicilline, Governor-Elect Gina M. Raimondo, and private and public partners, announced today that five international companies are looking to establish a presence in Rhode Island.

This announcement is the result of a relationship Governor Chafee built with international partners in Europe during the governor’s trade mission to Italy and Ireland this past April.

“I am pleased that my proactive efforts beyond our borders have resulted in economic opportunities for Rhode Islanders,” Governor Chafee said. “I learned during the trade mission to Europe that companies are eager to expand their operations to our state. We need to continue our work to strengthen our role in global economic discussions and entice businesses from around the world to set up shop in our cities and towns.”

“This is another positive sign for the state’s economy and a reminder that we must continue to make smart investments in job training for our workforce and infrastructure upgrades like T.F. Green Airport and Quonset Point. I will continue working at the federal level to help local companies grow and attract foreign investment to Rhode Island,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed.

“I’m very pleased to welcome these companies to the Ocean State,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “They will find world-class research universities, a long tradition of manufacturing and industrial design, arts and culture, a beautiful landscape, and a high quality of life for employees. I congratulate the leadership of our international partners on this investment, and Governor Chafee, Marcel Valois, and the team at Commerce RI for all their hard work in forging bonds that will serve the state well.”

“This is an exciting opportunity to grow the Rhode Island economy, create jobs, and continue to improve our state’s reputation as a world-class destination in which to work, live, and do business,” said Congressman Jim Langevin. “I extend my warmest welcome to these companies relocating to Rhode Island and offer my support to all businesses looking to open up shop or grow in the Ocean State. I am encouraged by this news and believe we can build upon this momentum to attract more international partners to Rhode Island.”

“Rhode Island’s workers, ports, highways and other assets make it an attractive gateway for international businesses to enter the U.S. market, and I’m excited to join with partners in both the public and private sectors to promote economic development opportunities that will boost Rhode Island’s economy,” said Congressman David Cicilline, who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which oversees U.S. international economic and trade policy. “The Ocean State has great potential to capitalize on the expanding global economy, and I want to congratulate Governor Chafee for his efforts to build partnerships with companies outside the United States and look forward to working with Governor-Elect Raimondo to strengthen these relationships in the years to come.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome these new businesses to Rhode Island,” said Governor-Elect Gina M. Raimondo. “I appreciate the work of Governor Chafee and Commerce RI to make this day happen, and I look forward to showing many more international businesses why Rhode Island is the right place to establish themselves as they enter the U.S market.”

“I am beyond pleased to learn that these companies will be opening offices in Rhode Island,” said Commerce RI Executive Director Marcel A. Valois. “This is an indication of Rhode Island’s assets to help businesses, both domestic and international, grow and succeed.”

“GTECH is pleased to welcome these companies to the state where we were founded and have chosen to make our global headquarters for more than 30 years,” said GTECH Chairman Donald Sweitzer. “I accompanied Governor Chafee on his trade mission to describe to these and other companies the advantages of locating in Rhode Island.”

Three of the five companies are headquartered in Italy. Euranet, out of Milan, is a global supply chain spet for compliance, quality and security, with high-end clients including Gucci and Ferrari. After a visit to Rhode Island in September, the company plans to set up an office here.

Based in Venice, Galivm is a successful, popular and fast-growing Italian restaurant franchise with four restaurants over the past two years in the Veneto Region. Locations are opening across Europe, and the company intends to set up its first North American restaurant in Rhode Island. Governor Chafee dined at Galivm during his trade mission to Italy.

REIOS is a design consulting firm for efficient lighting systems in Novara. The company has installed LED street lights in dozens of European cities and airports. REIOS has plans to set up an LED manufacturing facility in Rhode Island with manufacturing and sales jobs.

Headquartered in County Mayo, Ireland, Monaghan Brothers is a leading, high-quality furniture maker specializing in the hospitality, corporate and university markets. Monaghan aims to set up a showroom and marketing office with a small team of salespeople, eventually recreating its Irish production facility, in Rhode Island. Governor Chafee visited Monaghan during his trade mission in Ireland.

SCORE, out of Cambridge, England, is an encryption technology company that secures transmission of data, making it impenetrable to hackers, while greatly accelerating download speeds for all networks and systems. SCORE is launching an Apple app this month and has been working with the U.S. Department of Defense this past year in a national lab. A Rhode Island office would be staffed with salespeople, programmers and executives.

About Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is the full-service, official economic development organization for the state of Rhode Island. A quasi-public agency, the corporation serves as a government and community resource to help streamline the business expansion in, and relocation to, Rhode Island. The agency assists companies with commercial real estate, business financing, workforce training and other relevant issues.

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