PBN November 12-25, 2021

PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS

PBN pbn.com

CELEBRATING

35 YEARS: 1986-2021

BUSINESS WOMEN Hand-crafted goods with a Tuscan touch | 10

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 12-25, 12-25, 2021

EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS Adopted as a baby, marketer still connected to her ancestry | 17

YOUR SOURCE FOR BUSINESS NEWS IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND | VOL. 36, NO. 14 | $5

VETERANS DAY ★ 2021 ★

★ HONORING ALL WHO SERVED ★ PRESENTED BY

35

YEARS

A N N I V E R SA RY GA L A 1986-2021

NOVEMBER 18th, 2021 aldrich mansion | 5:30pm for more information please turn to page 39

LET’S

celebrate TOGETHER

Providence Business News is grateful for the support of these companies in honoring our veterans, and salutes our nation’s veterans and the families that support them.

Amgen is proud to honor all our Veterans and their families for their dedication to keep our country and communities safe. Your sacrifice and bravery is never forgotten.

We salute you!

Cox Business is proud to honor all veterans in our community. We thank you for your bravery, service and sacrifice so that we can live safely!

BankRI is proud to recognize the sacrifices of all veterans. Thank you for your service!

GEM Plumbing & Heating is incredibly proud to honor our nation’s veterans.

We are grateful for your bravery and the heroic sacrifices you’ve made to keep our country and community safe.

Quonset Development Corporation thanks the thousands of veterans across Rhode Island. As a former naval base, the Quonset Business Park was set on a path to success by the ingenuity of veterans, and we recognize the important role that veterans continue to play in our communities.

On behalf of all of us at Navigant Credit Union, we thank of all our veterans for their selfless service to our nation. Your bravery and sacrifices have kept us safe, and made us proud.

Reade Advanced Materials thanks Veterans across all branches who have served and continue to serve our country.

As a proud Service-Disabled VeteranOwned Small Business, we honor and celebrate those women and men, not only on Veteran’s Day but every day!

2 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

You’ve given your best to your country and it’s our honor to serve you.

Neighborhood supports and honors the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, and their families.

Thank you for sacrificing so much to keep our country safe and strong!

To Rhode Island’s veterans and their families, we at Toray Plastics (America) say thank you, from the bottom of our heart. Your courage and selfless commitment to our country helped keep us safe and made us proud. We salute you!

PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS

PBN pbn.com

CELEBRATING

35 YEARS: 1986-2021

BUSINESS WOMEN Hand-crafted goods with a Tuscan touch | 10

NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021

EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS Adopted as a baby, marketer still connected to her ancestry | 17

YOUR SOURCE FOR BUSINESS NEWS IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND | VOL. 36, NO. 14 | $5

FOCUS: ACCOUNTING FIRMS CPAs play key part in blockchain test in R.I.

GREEN LIGHT? Rick McAuliffe stands among the marijuana plants growing at the Ocean State Cultivation Center in West Warwick, where he is the manager. The state’s licensed cultivators stand to benefit financially in the move to legalized recreational marijuana.

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

TWENTY-FIVE RHODE ISLAND accountants are preparing to be guinea pigs for a digital ID program using blockchain technology that, if successful, could transform the way state government is conducted in the future.

The R.I. Department of Business Regulation is spearheading the initiative, using certified public accountants who have Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses as testers of a system designed to generate accounting credentials in a mobile format within minutes of using blockchain-distributed ledger technology.

SEE BLOCKCHAIN

PAGE 28

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

PLANTING THE SEED

Stakes are high as R.I. officials lay groundwork for recreational marijuana

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

IT’S ONE LAST THING

Michael Falvey Fight for your culture | 38

REALLY NO LONGER A MATTER OF “IF” recreational use of marijuana will be legalized in Rhode Island. Now it’s more a question of “when.”

Three of the state’s most powerful leaders have expressed a desire to allow the adult use of marijuana and tax and regulate its sale, in part because retail pot stores are already established across the border in Massachusetts, and Connecticut is on the path to doing the same.

Failing to act means millions of dollars in potential revenue for Rhode Island will flow into neighboring states, while officials here will be left to deal with many of the costs that come with

35

YEARS

A N N I V E R SA RY GA L A 1986-2021

legalization, such as increased law enforcement and public safety concerns.

“We’ll get the headaches, but we won’t get the benefit of tax revenue,” Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio said recently.

Such talk has the state’s business leaders largely conceding that it’s only a matter of time before recreational marijuana will be legalized, and they are now pressing to ensure they don’t lose control over what’s allowed and what’s prohibited in their workplaces.

SEE LEGALIZATION

PAGE 14

NOVEMBER 18th, 2021 aldrich mansion | 5:30pm for more information please turn to page 39

LET’S

celebrate TOGETHER

CONTENTS

PBN

COVER STORY PLANTING THE SEED

Stakes are high as R.I. officials lay groundwork for recreational marijuana..............................................3

FOR STARTERS:

400 Westminster St. Providence, RI 02903

5Q: Robert C. Davis.............................................................................6 Trending: Most-read stories on PBN.com, Oct. 2021........................7 Spotlight: Re– Antiques & Interiors......................................................8 Something New: Greenwich Bay Chiropractic..................................8 Hot Topic: Bally’s: Bond to R.I. remains strong.................................9 Business Women: Hand-crafted goods with a Tuscan touch.......... 10 Another Look: At Quonset port, supply chain problems of a different kind...........11 What’s Happening.............................................................................. 12 Everybody’s Business: Adopted as a baby, marketer still connected to her ancestry........ 17

Main Phone: 401-273-2201 Subscription Services: 855-813-5805 President & Publisher: Roger C. Bergenheim 680-4848 | Publisher@PBN.com

5Q | 6

IT’S PERSONAL: People in the News............................................................................32 Dining Out: Reemerging food leader................................................34 To Savor: Jessica Norris Granatiero.................................................35 Editorials and Opinion.......................................................................36 One Last Thing: Michael Falvey........................................................38

FOCUS: ACCOUNTING

CPAs play key part in blockchain test in R.I. Twenty-five Rhode Island certified public accountants are participating as testers in a digital ID program using blockchain technology to protect identities and CPA licenses............................3

Is qualifying for CPA license too tough?

FOCUS: SMALL BUSINESS | 18

The amount of money and time, in terms of education and experience, required to become a certified public accountant may be contributing to a decrease in CPA candidates...................26

Web Editor: Chris Bergenheim 680-4886 | Bergenheim@PBN.com

Pandemic relief programs still have aid available

Copy Editor: Matt Bower, 680-4824 | Bower@PBN.com

Grants and other assistance programs have had an integral role in helping small businesses weather temporary closures, increased expenses and other hardships........................................ 20

Special Projects Editor/Researcher: James Bessette 680-4838 | Bessette@PBN.com

FOCUS: ACCOUNTING FIRMS | 26

Greenwich Bay Chiropractic

American Ecotech LLC

21

(EDUCATION, NONPROFITS)

Staff Writers: Marc Larocque 680-4830 | Larocque@PBN.com (HEALTH CARE, GOVERNMENT, REAL ESTATE/DEVELOPMENT)

Nancy Lavin, 680-4822 | Lavin@PBN.com

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED COMPANIES 34

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor: William Hamilton 680-4826 | Hamilton@PBN.com

Johnson & Wales University marketing professor Kristen Regine warns business owners not to focus so heavily on social media that they neglect investing in other areas........................................ 18

A.B. Munroe Dairy Inc.

Marketing, Events & Social Media Coordinator: Tracy Hoyt, 680-4818 | Hoyt@PBN.com Senior Account Managers: Linda Foster, 680-4812 | Foster@PBN.com Jim Hanrahan 680-4816 | Hanrahan@PBN.com Noreen Murray 680-4801 | Murray@PBN.com Advertising Coordinator: Joyce Rylander 680-4810 | Production@PBN.com

Editor: Michael Mello, 680-4820 | Mello@PBN.com

Reliance on social media has severe downside

Family-owned Businesses.................................................................22 Women-run Businesses.....................................................................24 Accounting Firms.............................................................................. 30

Advertising@PBN.com | Fax: 401-274-0270 Director of Sales and Marketing: Annemarie Brisson 680-4800 | Brisson@PBN.com Marketing and Events Manager: Donna Rofino, 680-4832 | Rofino@PBN.com

Editor@PBN.com | Fax: 401-274-0670

FOCUS: SMALL BUSINESS

Lists

ADVERTISING

8

Re– Antiques & Interiors

8

(CITY GOVERNMENT, ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES)

Hot Club

14

Rhode Island Manufacturers Association

14

Bally’s Corp.

9

Infosys Ltd.

29

Cassius Shuman 680-4884 | Shuman@PBN.com

Bally’s Tiverton

9

International Game Technology PLC

Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants

29

(HOSPITALITY/TOURISM, GOVERNMENT)

9

Johnson & Wales University

28

Jacquelyn Voghel 680-4828 | Voghel@PBN.com

Bally’s Twin River Casino

9 14, 18

Blackbird Farm

34

Kimberly Pucci LLC

10

Blaze Smith Hill

20

Mammoth Inc.

16

Bloom Back Flowers LLC

17

Massimo

34

Brooklyn Coffee Tea & Guest House LLC

20

MWG Holdings Inc.

16

Bryant University

26

National Grid Rhode Island

17

Camille’s

34

North Atlantic Distribution Inc.

11

Community College of Rhode Island

32

Ocean State Cultivation Center

14

Cox Communications Inc.

17

Otraway LLC

17

Dave’s Coffee

34

Partnership for Providence Parks

17

DiSanto, Priest & Co.

29

Piccerelli, Gilstein & Co. LLP

26

Farm Fresh Rhode Island

34

Polaris MEP

11

Feed the Cheeks Inc.

18

Providence College

26

FM Global

17

Providence Performing Arts Center

34

General Dynamics Electric Boat

14

ProvPort Inc.

11

Quonset Development Corp.

11

Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce 14, 21

WHAT’S HAPPENING? SUBMIT YOUR NEWS AT PBN.COM/PBNCONNECT/

R.I. Board of Accountancy R.I. Commerce Corp.

R.I. Department of Business Regulation

3, 16

R.I. Department of Motor Vehicles

29

SCORE Rhode Island

17

Social Enterprise Greenhouse

17

Sonya’s Clothing

18

The Black Leaf Tea & Culture Shop

18

The Brenton Hotel

10

Trinity Brewhouse

14

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 328 16 United Way of Rhode Island

17

University of Rhode Island

10

Venture Cafe Providence

17

VIBCO Inc.

14

Wright’s Dairy Farm Inc.

34

www.facebook.com/providencebusinessnews @provbusnews www.linkedin.com/company/providence-business-news

4 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

20, 29

(WORKFORCE, MANUFACTURING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP)

PRODUCTION

Production Director: Anne Ewing, 680-4860 | Ewing@PBN.com Art Director: Lisa Lagreca, 680-4868 | Lagreca@PBN.com

CIRCULATION

PBN@cambeywest.com | 1-855-813-5805

ADMINISTRATION

Fax: 401-274-6580 Business Manager: Tammy D’Antuono 680-4840 | Dantuono@PBN.com ©2021 Providence Business News Inc.

Providence Business News is published every two weeks by Providence Business News, 400 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903 (USPS 002-254) (ISSN 0887-8226) Periodical postage paid at Providence, R.I. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to 400 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 5

FOR STARTERS 5Q: Robert C. Davis Chairman, I-195 Redevelopment District Commission

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Larocque@PBN.com

1

What are your hopes for the remaining 9 acres still available for development, and what’s your message to developers about the opportunities within the district?

The district is poised to site the burgeoning life sciences sector in Providence. As we work with developers, we are encouraging them to look at our ideal location and its supporting infrastructure and the quality of life in Rhode Island.

2

Can you tell us about your background as a partner for a Boston law firm and how that prepared you for your role on the commission?

I was a partner at the Boston firm of Goulston & Storrs. I represented clients in all phases of real estate development, including permitting, acquisition, leasing, construction and financing. This experience has been very beneficial to me in evaluating proposals and in the negotiation of terms on which the commission makes its real estate available for development.

3 PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

What have been some of the biggest challenges overseeing the district?

At times I think critics have not viewed the district holistically and their narrative of “we just need a corporate headquarters” or “we don’t need any more apartments” fails to recognize that there is no one element that creates an ideal district. The highway was dismantled, and the land was improved to create an economic driver

for Providence and for the state.

4

What are your thoughts on the proposals for the six-story properties on Parcel 2 along South Water Street?

The commission received three qualified responses to the RFP [request for proposals] for Parcel 2. We are getting input from our design and financial consultants, as well as input from the public. We will take this information and look at the rubric and decide which proposals, if any, suit what we seek for Parcel 2.

5

What’s your response to critics who say the district has strayed from its original goal of developing the land for high-tech businesses and science companies and has now become mostly housing developments?

The mission of the commission is: “To foster economic development on Rhode Island’s 195 land and beyond and generate job creation opportunities that embrace the city’s demographics by creating an environment that encourages high-value users to build well-designed structures that enhance the value of surrounding neighborhoods and augment the sense of place.” We continue to seek development that will contribute to our mission. n

There is no one element that creates an ideal district.

Information to include in profile:

REALTORS November 26, 2021 Recognizing Realtors who have a solid track record of closing the deal, servicing their clients and mentoring the next wave of agents and brokers, all while finding ways to give back to their communities.

Highlight your firm’s Realtors, those who are new to the industry and those who are well established, in this special feature in the PBN Real Estate Focus Section on November 26th.

Place an ad within the section at 30% off general advertiser rates.

DEADLINE: November 17, 2021

• Name • Job Title • Company Name • Phone number • Email address • Company Website • High resolution headshot (minimum 300 dpi) • Number of years working in your current industry • Number of years with your current company/firm • Undergrad degree/university

half page 9.75” x 6.34”

• Official bio:

Full page – up to 700 words Half page – up to 300 words Quarter page – up to 150 words

Don’t miss this chance to share your success with your customers and employees.

Reserve your ad space by calling Linda Foster at 401-680-4812 or Foster@PBN.com 6 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

full page 9.75” x 13.73”

quarter page

4.79”x 6.34”

FOR STARTERS TRENDING

Most-read stories on PBN.com, Oct. 2021

3

Longtime Hasbro leader Goldner dies at 58 following battle with cancer POSTED ONLINE: OCT. 12 Hasbro Inc. CEO Brian D. Goldner has died, just days after taking a leave of absence following ongoing medical treatment for cancer. He was 58. Goldner had served as CEO since 2008 and chairman since May 2015. bit.ly/3BR71Jg

COURTESY THE FOUNDRY

1

Promenade Apartments sold in $105M deal POSTED ONLINE: OCT. 4 The Promenade Apartments at the Foundry complex have sold for a combined $77.8 million, according to property records filed Oct. 1 for a deal with an expected final price tag of $105 million. bit.ly/3CTh95C

AP FILE PHOTO/ALEX BRANDON

4

Five medical marijuana dispensaries selected for licenses POSTED ONLINE: OCT. 29 The R.I. Office of Cannabis Regulation selected five medical marijuana dispensary applicants to receive licenses to operate during its lottery held at the R.I. Department of Administration on Oct. 29. bit.ly/3EMUR65

2

Toymaker Hasbro’s CEO Brian Goldner takes medical leave POSTED ONLINE: OCT. 10 Pawtucket-based toymaker Hasbro Inc. has announced that its CEO, Brian D. Goldner, is taking a medical leave of absence effective immediately. The move follows Goldner’s disclosure in August 2020 that he has been undergoing treatment for cancer since 2014. bit.ly/31BopWf

COURTESY HASBRO INC.

6

Rhode Island Medical Imaging negotiating acquisition of competitor

XRA POSTED ONLINE: OCT. 20 bit.ly/3GR5UNL

7 8

Helena B. Foulkes announces run for governor POSTED ONLINE: OCT. 13 bit.ly/3ENOiQP

Despite hurdles, Fane tower developer presses ahead PUBLISHED IN PRINT: OCT. 15 bit.ly/3CRCBbc

9

I-195 Redevelopment District’s Parcel 25 eyed for proposed 5-story R.I. health laboratories building POSTED ONLINE: OCT. 18 bit.ly/3qaJzVt

10

R.I. will try to reassign unvaccinated health state workers POSTED ONLINE: OCT. 1 bit.ly/3BOSHRC

PBN FILE PHOTO/CASSIUS SHUMAN

5

Lack of parking at proposed projects stirring debate POSTED ONLINE: OCT. 8 Proposals for new apartment buildings in Providence are including less on-site parking.

While local planning and housing officials are fine with such plans, some city residents say limited to no parking at these sites does not make sense.

COURTESY PROVIDENCE CITY PLAN COMMISSION bit.ly/3GTiwUo

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 7

FOR STARTERS SOMETHING NEW

SPOTLIGHT

SINGING CHIROPRACTOR: Devon Barley, a finalist on the television show “The Voice” in 2011, opened Greenwich Bay Chiropractic in East Greenwich in August.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Called to care for others

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

DEVON BARLEY WAS pushed by his father to be a singer but took the practical approach, following in his footsteps as a chiropractor.

Despite his gift, Barley, who worked for three years at his father’s practice, Barley Wellness in Fairhaven, decided that caring for people was his calling. After a year and a half of learning how to run a business, he opened Greenwich Bay Chiropractic on Main Street in East Greenwich on Aug. 2.

It was a hard decision for Barley, who had dreams of a singing career, coming off a successful stint on the popular television show “The Voice” in 2011.

However, thoughts of living a bohemian life, performing in different cities every other night didn’t appeal to him. “It wasn’t as fulfilling as I thought it would be,” he said.

His journey led him to a premed education at the University of Vermont, which he departed for Hollywood his sophomore year to appear on the show.

The move was fortuitous for Barley, as he met his wife, Liz, who is a physician’s assistant practicing at Ortho Rhode Island.

After graduation from UVM, Barley attended Life University in Atlanta, his father’s alma mater, and earned his chiropractic degree. Now he treats patients with an assortment of physical ailments, something he learned from his father.

“I never had a doubt,” he said.

“This is my purpose.”n

TREASURE SEEKER: Heidi W. Stevens is the owner of Re– Antiques & Interiors in North Kingstown. Her fascination with antiques and artifacts began when she was a child discovering such items at a nearby grange during the summers. The fascination continued to grow as she got older.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

On hunt for unique items Antique shop has global reach

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

HEIDI W. STEVENS WAS RAISED in a former sea captain’s home in the Watch Hill neighborhood of Westerly where fantasies of a long forgotten whaling era captured her imagination, and the love of finding unique treasures was born.

At a young age, Stevens discovered items that antique dealers were selling during summers at a grange at the end of her street. There were an assortment of antiques and artifacts, items she never saw before such as scrimshaw and musty old books that captured her fancy.

“As I got older, I became fascinated with using these pieces in my own world in a better aesthetic way, and then I got into interior design,” she said.

Loving the mixing of old and new items, Stevens hammered out a career path as an interior designer with a textiles and marketing background from her college studies.

Then in 2001, feeling the pull to open her own antique store, Stevens called her mom and said it was time. “I always knew from an early age that I was going to have my own shop,” she said.

A short time later, she opened Re– Antiques & Interiors on Post Road in North Kingstown as a consignment shop in a 5,500-square-foot commercial building space built in 1958. The motto for the store: The harmony of

old and new.

She chose the location due to information from a traffic analysis that indicated that it would attract consumers from both New York and Boston. Harboring no fears or concerns about starting a business, Stevens forged ahead with confidence.

“It’s exciting. It’s like giving birth to a child,” she said. “You nurture it, take care of it and just let it grow – and listen to it.”

Stevens said that listening and watching where the trends are headed is the key to a successful antiques business. Otherwise, you risk becoming an antique, she said.

“You really have to adapt in this business,” she said. “You draft your business plan and then throw it away and let the business talk to

OWNER: Heidi W. Stevens

LOCATION: 7511 & 7512 Post Road, North Kingstown

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Antiques and estate items seller

8 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

EMPLOYEES: Three

you.”

Stevens said the business took off, leading to more than 3,000 consignors frequenting the establishment.

“We were slammed,” she said.

Seeking to become more of a traditional store, Stevens transformed her operation into an antiques and interior design business, with expansion to a building on the south side of the street. Now she buys items outright, saving the time and energy that had been dedicated to consignment.

The addition of a website built for e-commerce marketed toward a global audience has catapulted the business, drawing from an international clientele.

Stevens said her shop ships items all over the world. Domestically, Re– delivers to places as far away as California, Florida and Texas.

The store sells a variety of items, including artwork, furniture, jewelry, period pieces, rugs, tableware and treasures. Interesting items that Stevens has sold over the years include a Tiffany lamp that sold for about $130,000 and pieces from an Andy Warhol estate sale.

“If you want to escape from this crazy world and have a happy moment … [you] can always find it here,” Stevens said. n YEAR FOUNDED: 2002 ANNUAL REVENUE: WND

FOR STARTERS HOT TOPIC

Bally’s: Bond to R.I. remains strong

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Larocque@PBN.com

RHODE ISLAND LEADERS SAY they’re confident that a recent bid by Providence-based Bally’s Corp. to build a $1.6 billion “flagship” casino in Chicago won’t sidetrack the company from its role operating two casinos here that are crucial revenue generators for the state.

The lawmakers behind a deal passed in June to give Bally’s and International Game Technology PLC exclusive control over the Ocean State’s gambling operations for the next two decades said a major investment by Bally’s in the Windy City could only be good for the casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton.

Bally’s recently reported a $14.7 million loss in the third quarter as the company undergoes a massive transformation, driven by acquisitions of casinos and online gaming platforms.

“As a global company, they naturally will pursue growth outside of our state as well, and a strong and growing corporate gaming partner is good for Rhode Island,” said Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio.

“Strong protections are in place to ensure that Rhode Islanders continue to reap the benefits of our strong partnership with the company for decades

to come.”

Ruggerio’s counterpart in the House agreed. “Bally’s success in other parts of the country is truly Rhode Island’s success as well,” House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said in an emailed statement.

The Providence-based company has amassed a portfolio of 14 casinos across 10 states, access to online sports betting markets in 16 states and acquisitions of online gaming firms including the recent multibillion dollar purchase of Gamesys Group PLC. On Oct. 29 came Bally’s proposal to

build a $1.6 billion casino project in Chicago.

Elizabeth Suever, vice president of government relations for Bally’s, said the 20-year agreement passed

by Rhode Island lawmakers in June “assures” that the casino and online gambling company will remain a “vital and significant part” of the state’s economy for “decades to come.”

Rhode Island’s legal gambling operations represent the state’s thirdlargest source of revenue, bringing in $357.3 million in fiscal 2021, when revenue was reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bally’s employs about 1,800 people in the state, including staff at Bally’s Twin River Casino in Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton, along with executives and office workers at Bally’s corporate headquarters in Providence.

“Bally’s commitment to Rhode Island remains as strong as ever, perhaps more so,” Suever said. “The success of Bally’s in other jurisdic-

‘Strong protections are in place.’

DOMINICK J. RUGGERIO, Senate president

Community Nourishment

tions translates into success for Rhode Island, as many of our employees here are serving the company as a whole, not simply one property.”

Shekarchi said Bally’s is also planning an additional job site in Rhode Island, which Suever confirmed. Details are slated to be announced this year. Under an agreement with the state, Bally’s is obligated to maintain a Providence headquarters until 2043, increase its commercial footprint in the city to 20,000 square feet and add 30 new senior positions.

The company also committed to a $100 million, 50,000-square-foot expansion at the casino in Lincoln.

Paul DeBole, a professor of political science at Lasell University in Newton, Mass., who has studied the New England gambling industry, said it isn’t yet clear if Bally’s play at Chicago and its other acquisitions will pay off for the company and for Rhode Island as a stakeholder. But DeBole said he likes the odds.

“I think they’re gambling heavily on developing their portfolio of properties, to where they will offer a sufficient number of promos and travel opportunities to get local players to enjoy some of their other properties nationwide,” DeBole said. “It seems like a recipe for success.”n

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Winston Churchill

For many in our communities, the ability to put food on the table is a daily struggle. To help ease this hardship, for the eighth straight year, PCU donated a total of $25,000 to the following local food pantries and charities: Blackstone Valley Community Action Program (CAP) l Blackstone Valley Emergency Food Center l Comprehensive Community Action Program l East Bay Community Action Program l East Bay Food Pantry l North Kingstown Food Pantry l Northern RI Food Pantry l Rhode Island Community Food Bank l The Salvation Army l SVDP St. Phillip Food Pantry l Tri-County Community Action Program l Westbay Community Action Market Place

Donna Gregson, EVP/Retail Administration and Jason Hernandez, VP/Community Outreach present a $25,000 grant to local area food pantries and charities.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 9

FOR STARTERS | BUSINESS WOMEN

Hand-crafted goods with a Tuscan touch

BY SUSAN SHALHOUB | Contributing Writer

IF

two things have impacted Kimberly Pucci, it’s safe to say they have been the Italian region of Tuscany and the art of producing finely crafted goods, such as high-end jewelry and genuine leather bags.

It’s the kind of slow, detailed craftsmanship that can only be learned firsthand from experienced, skilled masters in tanneries and factories, which she has.

Italy is also where Pucci developed an appreciation for this way of designing, creating and developing products she can then offer to American clients with pride.

The tagline for her company, Kimberly Pucci LLC, which has a storefront on Newport’s Thames Street, is “American luxury with Tuscan heritage.”

Her website offers items such as diamond drop earrings, made of 18-carat white gold for $12,000; an amethyst doublet ring of 18-carat rose gold for $5,800; and wine totes of premium pebble leather inside and out for $950.

“My craftsmen create for every luxury brand,” Pucci said. “I am not only an entrepreneur, but I know how to sell what I make. My target market? It’s me. We offer these items without compromising,

right down to the zipper on a handbag, or a prong or shank on a ring. No detail is overlooked.”

A Narragansett native, Pucci was an English major who graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a minor concentration in Italian and art history.

She spent her junior year abroad in the Tuscany region of Italy, immersed in art and culture at the Università degli Studi di Firenze in Florence. Where she lived was a cultural environment as well – her host family handcrafted frames for Renaissance paintings at the Uffizi Gallery.

After graduation, she planned to attend law school in the U.S. But that plan was disrupted.

“I couldn’t get Florence out of my head,” Pucci said.

After graduating, she instead moved back to the city she loved, nannying to make money.

Like a layered painting, Pucci gained education in classic art and crafts from various perspectives. She made it a point to chat with goldsmiths, woodworkers, painters and sculptors who frequented her favorite Florence cappuccino bar

ITALIAN ­INSPIRATION: Kimberly Pucci, owner and creative director of Kimberly Pucci LLC in Newport, was inspired by the Tuscany region of Italy and the artisans and craftsmen she encountered while living there to launch her own business creating high-end jewelry and genuine leather products.

PBN PHOTO/DAVE HANSEN

‘We offer these items without compromising. … No detail is overlooked.’

KIMBERLY PUCCI, Kimberly Pucci LLC owner and creative director 10 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

about their commissions. She took classes and worked as an archivist at an art school. Pucci took any opportunity she could to see beauty in the making, sneaking into the Renaissance-era Pitti Palace – now a museum – to see a friend restoring dresses, for example, or visiting any city spot where she knew artists were working.

Jobs at Ferragamo and Gucci followed, as well as a position at a jewelry shop on the Ponte Vecchio, its owners from a family of jewelers dating back to the 1300s, Pucci said.

Clients of the store included American senators and African kings.

She became retail director, working there for 11 years while designing on the side.

“There, I was initially weighing gold for 10 hours a day,” Pucci said. “Now, when I go to pick up pieces from suppliers and estimate its weight, they laugh because I am able to tell. But we didn’t have digital scales back then.”

After getting married and having her first child in Italy, missing family in Rhode Island brought Pucci back home in 2006. Her daughter was 1 year old.

But she certainly didn’t leave the luxury goods industry behind. What she calls “slow luxury” – taking time to produce fine jewelry and leather goods with care and create products its owners love – stays with her.

More than a passion for Pucci, the work has also become a comfort. She tells of being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 33, soon after moving back to the U.S. “I put opening my business on hold,” she said. “I’d make business calls from the chemo chair and that’s how I got through it. As soon as my health was going in the right direction, I said to my doctors, ‘Can I fly to Italy?’ ” This gave her a goal and helped her through a challenging period.

Pucci and her husband still have their home in Tuscany. Their daughter is now 17, and their son is 12.

More recently, on the corporate side, Pucci found the COVID-19 pandemic to be challenging, as have many business owners.

With people quarantined, Pucci decided it meant a change in how the market was using luxury goods. They may not be going to posh restaurants, gala award shows or gallery openings, she reasoned, but rather spending time at home in flat sandals instead of designer heels – whether that be at their house, backyard, vacation condo, private plane or boat.

And so, the Kimberly Pucci Casa line of home goods, including leather placemats and leather pillows, was born. Brand collaborations, such as with The Brenton Hotel in Newport, opened another way to market her products, with partnerships with heritage brands such as Maison Haviland + Daum taking it global.

“We showcased our beautiful state in photo shoots on boats, picnicking outside, showing how we would be wearing luxury in a different way,” she said. “It doesn’t scream ‘luxury’ but says it very quietly.” n

PBN.COM | ANOTHER LOOK At Quonset port, supply chain snags of a different kind

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

(Editor’s note: A version of this story was first published on PBN.com on Nov. 5.)

Major ports around the country are jammed with ships carrying products and materials waiting to be delivered to their final destinations, but Rhode Island’s largest port is feeling the impact of pandemic-related supply chain disruptions in a much different way.

While ports in areas such as Southern California have experienced long lines of ships that need to be unloaded and cargo waiting on the docks, the Port of Davisville in North Kingstown, which primarily serves as an import point for automobile manufacturers, has seen ship arrivals drop significantly this year.

“We’re not experiencing any backup like we’re seeing on the West Coast,” said Steven J. King, managing director of Quonset Development Corp., which oversees the Quonset Business Park and the Davisville port.

“The pandemic is having an opposite effect on our traffic, meaning traffic is down because manufacturers have been shut down by the pandemic in general, and supply in ships.”

Automobile imports, which comprise 95% of the port’s inbound traffic, were down by more than 25% in 2020 compared with the year before, King said, and 2021 has been much slower than 2020.

After unloading 338,447 cars at Davisville in 2019, North Atlantic Distribution Inc. – the auto importer located at Davisville – was down to 247,324 cars in 2020, and 143,600 through September of this year.

While the number of ships arriving at the port isn’t down significantly, each ship has been carrying less volume of imports than usual, King said.

King hasn’t seen any layoffs at port-related businesses in Quonset at this point.

An end to this issue isn’t on the

immediate horizon, but King remains hopeful that the amount of material and products coming into the port will rebound within the next six to 10 months.

The Port of Davisville should be better prepared to meet a “large influx” of imports by the time they arrive, King said, with a new berth in service and a modernized pier in the works, which is slated for completion in May. Officials at ProvPort Inc., the agency that oversees the Port of Providence, were not available for comment about activities at the state’s other major port.

The global supply chain problems causing gridlock at some ports are apparent in other ways at the Quonset Business Park, King said, with construction in the park slowed due to the late shipment of building materials.

The problem of late shipments is hitting Rhode Island’s manufacturing community at large, said Kathie Mahoney, center director of Polaris MEP. Polaris, which assists manufacturing companies with business improvement programs, has noticed “companies having difficulty getting the materials that they need in order to produce their product,” Mahoney said.

“Some companies are paying more for inventory,” she said. “When possible, they are stockpiling the materials they need in order to ensure they have the materials required in order to produce their product.”

With most manufacturers Polaris works with reporting supply chain problems, Mahoney said the nonprofit is trying to connect clients with local companies that could be producing needed materials instead of shipping them in from foreign sources, or they are connecting clients with resources from Manufacturing Extension Partnerships in other states. n

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BETTER TIMES: Motor vehicles are unloaded on Pier 1 at the Port of Davisville in North Kingstown in early 2019. Port officials say the number of imports has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PBN FILE PHOTO/DAVE HANSEN

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 11

FOR STARTERS | WHAT’S HAPPENING Building relationships THE TRI-TOWN CHAMBER of Commerce will hold its networking group in a forum setting in which business owners and entrepreneurs can build business relationships with one another. Four one-hour group sessions will be held over two days.

MONDAY, NOV. 15, 8 A.M. TO 1 P.M., TUESDAY, NOV. 16, 8:30-9:30 A.M. Free Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce, 280 School St., Mansfield.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3bh6d5H

CURRENT AFFAIRS: Wendy J. Schiller, a professor of political science at Brown University, will speak at the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues event at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln on Nov. 16.

COURTESY BROWN UNIVERSITY

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Schiller to discuss current affairs with NRI Chamber THE NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND Chamber of Commerce will hold an Eggs & Issues event featuring Wendy J. Schiller, a professor of political science at Brown University. Schiller will discuss current affairs in politics and government.

TUESDAY, NOV. 16, 7:45-9 A.M. $25/members; $35/nonmembers Kirkbrae Country Club, 197 Old River Road, Lincoln.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3lJ4lsI

12 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Business fundamentals THE SOUTH EASTERN Economic Development Corp. and BankNewport, in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Center and SCORE, will provide a workshop in which participants will learn fundamentals of planning for and financing a small business. It is open to anyone currently in business, starting a business, or thinking about owning a business in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

TUESDAY, NOV. 16, 10 A.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3nRYa5t

New connections THE NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND Chamber of Commerce will hold a Sip. Talk. Interact. Reconnect. networking event, hosted by The Beatrice. The event will allow attendees to meet and build business connections. Attendees will be able to tour the new hotel.

TUESDAY, NOV. 16, 5-7 P.M. $20/members; $30/nonmembers The Beatrice, 90 Westminster St., Providence.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3pKmgSc

Getting started THE CENTER FOR WOMEN & Enterprise will hold a workshop titled “Exploring Entrepreneurship & Steps to Start a Business.” The workshop will outline how to develop a business idea, legal structures, financial needs, resources and training.

TUESDAY, NOV. 16, 5-7 P.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3aBsvyD

Interested in having your businessrelated event included in What’s Happening? Contact PBN Researcher James Bessette at (401) 680-4838 or Research@PBN.com.

WHAT’S HAPPENING | FOR STARTERS Chamber gathering THE GREATER PROVIDENCE Chamber of Commerce will hold a Chamber Café networking event, hosted by Plant City Providence. The event will bring business professionals and entrepreneurs together to meet and build business connections.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17, 8:30-9:30 A.M. Free Plant City Providence, 334 South Water St., Providence.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3Ee9ijw

THURSDAY, NOV. 17, 5-7 P.M. Free/members; $25/nonmembers

workshop will offer attendees who are planning to participate in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27 ways to boost your message. The discussion will review examples of effective marketing campaigns launched by small businesses. Julie Loffredi, a marketing counselor for RISBDC, will lead the discussion.

THURSDAY, NOV. 18, 11 A.M. TO NOON. Free

Barrett’s Waterfront, 1082 Davol St., Fall River.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3FPIhVh

Effective marketing

Online.

THE R.I. SMALL BUSINESS Development Center will hold a workshop titled “10 Examples of Small Business Saturday Marketing Campaigns.” The

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3iYJyiQ

Networking in Newport THE GREATER NEWPORT Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business During Hours networking event, hosted

by Innovate Newport. Members and nonmembers alike will hear the latest from the Chamber and network with professionals and business owners.

THURSDAY, NOV. 18, NOON TO 1 P.M. Free Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/2ZsQtK6

Podcasting 101 THE SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND Chamber of Commerce will hold a workshop titled “Podcasting 101.”

Max Willett, founder and CEO of Custom3D LLC, will present the workshop, which will include the steps to create a podcast, ranging from inspiration for the topic to the technology needed to capture audio. Lunch will be provided. Seating is limited.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17, 11:30 A.M. TO 1 P.M. $25/members; $30/nonmembers Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, 230 Old Tower Hill Road, South Kingstown.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3pKr3mE

Learn basics of a biz plan THE CENTER FOR WOMEN & Enterprise will hold a workshop titled “Business Plan Basics.” The workshop will offer an overview of writing a business plan. Topics to be discussed include reviewing each section of a business plan, research and writing tips, and resources for help and support.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17, 5-6:30 P.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3Ek5dKE

Business after hours ONE SOUTHCOAST CHAMBER of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours event, hosted by Barrett’s Waterfront. The event will provide an opportunity for Chamber members and nonmembers to mingle and build business relationships in an informal, relaxed business setting.

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UPCOMING PBN EVENT: The 35th Anniversary Gala will be held on Thursday, Nov. 18, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Aldrich Mansion in Warwick.

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MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

For the moment, the snag has been that Ruggerio, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Gov. Daniel J. McKee and others have been negotiating behind the scenes for months on the details of how to tax and regulate recreational cannabis.

At a panel discussion on marijuana legalization at Johnson & Wales University in October, Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston, acknowledged that state officials were still hammering out the details of adult-use marijuana legislation. That includes social equity provisions, expungement of drug convictions, the level of municipal control over retail stores and the involvement of organized labor.

Meanwhile, business leaders are wary that the legislation won’t contain enough provisions to protect employers.

Miller, who co-sponsored a recreational marijuana bill that was approved in the Senate earlier this year but died in the House, said in October that negotiators were getting closer to an agreement. For his part, Shekarchi was confident legislators would reach a solution.

“Marijuana has been kicking around for a lot of years,” the speaker said. “I think that legalization of marijuana is inevitable.”

Still, there are many, especially in the business community, keeping a close eye on how things play out.

EMPLOYER RIGHTS Laurie White is one of them.

The president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce is adamant that the legislation must contain provisions that preserve the rights of employers to establish rules and conditions to maintain a drug-free workplace, including a zerotolerance policy. Otherwise, White said, businesses could be dealing with health care policy adjustments, more workers compensation claims and ensuring companies’ policies don’t run afoul of the law.

“It’s another compliance issue, another thing to understand and become expert on, and another piece of exposure and liability, and another expense,” said White, adding that her staff has been lobbying legislators on behalf of Chamber members.

Drug testing and screening are big question marks.

Miller’s bill and a similar one introduced in the House that also failed last spring specified that employers could ban the possession and use of marijuana in the workplace, but companies wouldn’t be allowed to fire a worker for the use of cannabis outside of work hours. The bills exempted one type of employer from the latter provision: federal contractors for which failure to take disciplinary action could cost them money.

Neither measure addressed employee drug testing and screening, and neither did a failed proposal to legalize adult-use marijuana that was part of McKee’s state budget proposal earlier this year.

White said many in the business community are opposed to recreational marijuana because they don’t want to have to go through the process of implementing drug testing protocols for it.

“The notion of continuous testing [for marijuana] is another cost; it’s another impediment; and it’s another distraction,” she said. “And anything that presents another set of uncertainty is definitely problematic for business.

“There is a great hue and cry around this and what it means,” she said.

SUPPORT GROUP: Cranston Democrat Sen. Joshua Miller, left, and Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey, right, introduced legislation last spring to legalize recreational marijuana, with the backing of Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, center. It passed the Senate but died in the House.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Manufacturers have been particularly vocal.

“We have a lot of machinery, dangerous equipment,” said Karl Wadensten, CEO and president of Richmond-based VIBCO Inc., a maker of industrial vibrators. “And even if you’re on your game, you could get really hurt.”

At the same time, he said, proving that someone is impaired from marijuana is more difficult than with alcohol since remnants of the drug can stay in the body for weeks.

That’s why David M. Chenevert, executive director of the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, believes the business community should be part of the negotiations that have been taking place at the Statehouse.

“The big thing is ensuring that employees are kept safe and that employers are protected from lawsuits and liability issues,” he said. “Put us at the table.”

Connecticut-based defense contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat, which employs about 4,000 people at a facility in North Kingstown, went through a similar process earlier this year when Connecticut lawmakers legalized the adult use of recreational marijuana.

Electric Boat spokesperson Liz Power said the company communicated frequently with legislators in that state to ensure that employer protections were included in the legislation that passed in June. Connecticut exempted the construction, manufacturing and transportation sectors from provisions of the new law, such as prohibiting workers from using cannabis away from the workplace.

Now the company’s attention has turned to Rhode Island. At the North Kingstown facility, new hires are required to pass a drug test, and many employees must maintain a security clearance.

“Our No. 1 focus is for the safety of our workforce and that of the sailors aboard our submarines,” Power said in a statement. “If it is the will of the Rhode Island legislature to pass this initiative, EB would request employer protections similar to those included in the Connecticut legislation.”

Miller said state officials have examined how

states such as Connecticut have addressed workplace concerns in their laws.

As it stands now, Rhode Island businesses are allowed to conduct drug tests and will still be allowed to do so under the provisions being negotiated now. “It will be up to the employer to determine how they test,” Miller said.

Miller said the language Rhode Island negotiators envision being included in future legislation would mirror Connecticut’s law, which allows employers to conduct marijuana drug testing of prospective employees, and drug testing or “fitness for duty” evaluations of employees. A positive test could be grounds for discipline or rescinding a job offer.

Miller said those involved in talks at the Statehouse also agree that they want to exempt certain industries from a recreational marijuana law and are looking to see how Connecticut deals with exemptions.

“It’s not an issue of contention,” he said. “We don’t see it as being controversial to those who are negotiating.”

Miller, who owns Trinity Brewhouse and the Hot Club in Providence, acknowledged however, that people who are under the influence of cannabis are not his priority. “There are a lot more job performance issues for people who drink heavily, or have a substance abuse disorder than it is for somebody that engages in regular cannabis intake,” he said.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY While some businesses still have major questions about how legalization of adult recreational use will affect them, the payoff could be big for others that would be part of the evolving industry here.

Ocean State Cultivation Center in West Warwick, one of 65 licensed marijuana cultivators in the state, reports about $100,000 in monthly sales while producing more than 700 pounds annually in its 2,500-square-foot grow facility.

And that’s with a limited customer base of just three dispensaries selling medicinal marijuana.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 16

‘This is a faucet that could be turned on pretty easily.’

DAVID SPRADLIN, Ocean State Cultivation Center executive 14 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

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MARIJUANA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

With the number of licensed dispensaries set to triple in the coming weeks, Ocean State Cultivation Center executive David Spradlin predicts sales will double. And the thought of dozens of retail outlets that his cultivation center could supply if cannabis is legalized has Spradlin’s mind spinning with big sales figures.

Spradlin, president of MWG Holdings Inc., a California company that also operates 18 marijuana retail stores in California and New Mexico, says sales in those states have doubled every year since 2018. “We’re expected to break $200 million in 2022,” he said.

MWG Holdings began operating Ocean State Cultivation Center in 2017 to get a foothold in the state with hopes to open retail stores here when marijuana is legalized.

“I would be shocked if Rhode Island, with adultuse, didn’t go over $150 million in [total] annual sales, if not $200 million,” he said. “This is a faucet that could be turned on pretty easily.”

Even with only legalized medical marijuana in the Ocean State, the cash is flowing. According to the R.I. Department of Business Regulation, sales through three licensed dispensaries amounted to $59.7 million in fiscal 2019. In the first 10 months of 2020, sales amounted to $65.2 million.

And that number is expected to escalate fast. On Oct. 29, the DBR held a special lottery to determine who would get five new dispensary licenses.

The awarding of a sixth license has been delayed because of an applicant’s legal appeal.

The new dispensaries have nine months to open, and are also in line to become retail sites when recreational marijuana is legalized.

Spencer Blier, CEO of Mammoth Inc., a Warwick marijuana cultivator, said that right now his company is competing with other cultivators to sell marijuana at the three dispensaries at between $1,800 and $1,900 per pound. With an increase in demand if retail stores are opened, Blier said that price could soar to more than $3,000 per pound.

One concern he has: that the state might increase the number of licensed cultivators.

Miller has said publicly that the plan is to cap the number of cultivators at the current number, at least initially because many of the cultivators are only producing marijuana at a fraction of their capacity right now.

Who would be charged with regulating the new industry? While McKee proposed placing responsibility under the DBR, the measures introduced last spring by Miller and Rep. Scott A. Slater, D-Providence, would have set up a cannabis commission,

similar to the system used in Massachusetts.

That’s a point of contention, with some such as Spradlin wanting a new commission to administer the new system, but others such as Blier wanting the DBR to oversee regulation, as it does with medical marijuana.

“I don’t know why they would want to create a Cannabis Control Commission,” said Blier. “It would be a significant change to the way we do business.”

Another potentially contentious issue: organized labor.

Miller acknowledged that officials are in talks about the part labor unions would play in a recreational marijuana system.

Spradlin, whose Ocean State Cultivation Center has unionized workers, thinks the state’s cannabis industry should be unionized to prevent employee turnover and create workforce consistency.

“I’m a huge proponent of it,” he said. “Workplace protections are important. It’s a booming industry, and labor is hard to come by. It’s always been a fruitful partnership.”

Sam Marvin, organizing director for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 328, which represents workers at Spradlin’s center and at the Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center, a dispensary in Portsmouth, said legislators have an opportunity to guarantee equity, fair labor practices, safe working conditions and economic opportunities for communities historically affected by marijuana prohibition.

“We strongly support passing common-sense measures such as social equity licensing, worker co-operatives, automatic expungement, and labor peace agreements,” said Marvin.

Legislators pushing for legalization have agreed that social equity should be implemented to create pathways into the industry for people at an economic disadvantage, and those who might have been jailed on marijuana charges in the past. The bills introduced last spring would have created a “social equity assistance fund” financed by license and application fees that would, among other things, help disadvantaged people hurdle financial barriers to getting into the industry.

A TAXING MATTER Just how much would legalized recreational marijuana bring into the state’s coffers? Depends on whose proposal you’re looking at.

When former Gov. Gina M. Raimondo included a plan for state-run retail stores selling cannabis in her 2020 state budget, her administration estimated that it would raise $21.8 million in taxes in the first

A MATTER OF LUCK: Matthew Santacroce, left, the state’s cannabis chief, displays the first winning ball during a lottery to award five licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries on Oct. 29. At right is Russ Griffiths, an R.I. Department of Business Regulation official who picked the balls from a tumbler while blindfolded.

PBN FILE PHOTO/CASSIUS SHUMAN

16 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

year.

Last spring, McKee’s proposal estimated $16.9 million in new tax revenue by fiscal 2023 His plan called for an intitial 25 privately run stores and a 10% in taxes on sales tacked onto the state’s standard 7% sales tax.

That proposal also noted that there would be 97,480 adult-use cannabis consumers with $96 million in annual recreational sales – estimates based on 2019 federal survey data, which measured marijuana use combined with U.S. Census population data.

The legislation approved by the Senate last spring did not have projected revenue numbers, but it called for a 10% marijuana tax, 7% sales tax and a 3% tax for the municipality where the store is located.

“The last estimate I saw, which seemed pretty realistic and conservative, was about $20 million annually in revenue,” said Miller. “That’s for a full year of operation with a certain number of licenses processed.”

Slater’s legislation also did not offer projected revenue numbers, but it would have imposed a 20% tax, with 15% going to the state and 5% for cities and towns.

‘We’ll get the headaches, but we won’t get the benefit of tax revenue.’

DOMINICK J. RUGGERIO, Senate president Slater believes cannabis could be a big windfall, estimating it could bring in an annual yield of about $17 million, increasing in later years.

Shekarchi isn’t so sure that legalization will pay off so well for Rhode Island. He said he’s more concerned about assembling legislation that clearly defines a fair regulatory process.

“There could be an uptick in revenue we would gladly accept,” he said. “But estimates for $100 million in [annual sales] are grossly overstated.”

There’s no doubt the numbers nationally are big.

The Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit advocating for legalization, estimates that $8 billion in tax revenue was generated since legal sales began in 2014 by the 18 states that legalized marijuana for recreational point of sale. (In June, Connecticut became the 19th state to legalize marijuana for recreational use.)

It’s numbers like these that have motivated state leaders to reach an agreement.

Still to be finalized is how many retail stores will be allowed in the state, and how much control will be given to local governments over regulation.

Miller said during the event at JWU last month that officials negotiating the framework of the recreational marijuana system had narrowed the number of retail licenses to between 30 and 40. And all proposals so far have included provisions that would allow local communities to reject marijuana retail stores within their borders.

Slater is eager to get something in place soon.

“Right now, we’re losing revenue to other states.

So, it’s important to do something sooner than later,” said Slater. “People are developing their buying habits – traveling to Massachusetts to buy cannabis.”

But Wadensten, the VIBCO CEO, sees no reason to rush with what he perceives as the safety of employees at workplaces across Rhode Island at stake.

“This could have very profound consequences for industry,” he said. n

EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS Adopted as a baby, marketer still connected to her ancestry

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Larocque@PBN.com (Editor’s note: This is the 15th installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views on minority-business conditions in the state and for ways to improve those businesses’ chances for success.)

AMANDA MOTTOLA DIDN’T HAVE much money and didn’t know many people when she relocated to Rhode Island in 2019 and soon established her one-person marketing firm.

“I started from nothing and knowing no one here,” said Mottola, 32, who was born in Paraguay but was adopted as a baby and grew up in Milford, Conn.

Mottola said she got her foot in the door of the state’s marketing industry through a chance connection that developed when she offered to donate $500 worth of marketing services from her company for a charity event held by the United Way of Rhode Island in April 2020.

The logo for her little-known company ended up sharing space on banners with big businesses that also donated to the cause, including FM Global, Cox Communications Inc., and National Grid Rhode Island. And the client that won Mottola’s $500 in services as a raffle prize, the nonprofit Partnership for Providence Parks, ended up becoming her biggest customer, providing $25,000 in revenue.

Mottola’s nontraditional approach led her to dub her marketing firm Otraway LLC, a combination of Spanish and English that can be translated to “other way.”

It’s a name that has defined her life, as a hardworking entrepreneur with a newborn baby, having grown up as an adopted child who later pursued her biological family during a trip to South America.

“People say you can’t have your cake and eat it too,” Mottola said. “I say the heck with that. I’m living it. I’m doing it. It’s super hard. But if there’s something you want, you just go get it.”

Otraway differentiates itself from other marketing firms by not only offering custom branded promotional products but also providing a strategic game plan to go with them, with preset goals for engagement. One example was a florist called Bloom Back Flowers LLC that Mottola worked with recently, providing the business with a box of branded lip balm sticks for distribution at local farmers markets. Those lip balm sticks were each made with lottery numbers on them, which the business used for a contest requiring participants to follow the business on its Instagram account.

“I told the florist that if she just got some branded pens, people will just throw them in a bag and that’ll be the end of it,” Mottola said. “She said, ‘I don’t know what else to do.’ That’s why you come to someone like me. I gave her a more effective option for the same price as pens.”

As an adopted child raised by non-Hispanic parents, Mottola said she has always tried to get in touch with her heritage, becoming involved with organizations such as the Spanish Community of Wallingford near Milford, and studying to improve her Spanish skills.

One of my goals is to do more mentoring and partnering with minorityowned businesses.

Throughout her life, Mottola said she’s encountered racism directed at her, including a condescending customer at a restaurant she worked for who acted like she didn’t understand English, yelling at her “more agua.” Mottola recalled attending a soccer game between the U.S. and Paraguay in Philadelphia in 2017. She decided to wear a Paraguay jersey, only to be harassed after the game.

“Someone on the street yelled, ‘Go back to your country. We don’t want you here,’ ” Mottola recalled. “I didn’t have a comeback. It kind of made

me sad.”

The warwick-based entrepreneur said she has a second business venture that aims to be the soccer equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters, called “Freestyle Football Club,” which is working with Major League Soccer teams and American colleges to recruit talent.

“I’m always go, go, go,” Mottola said. “When I do take a step back and think about what I’ve accomplished, I’m excited. It makes me feel really good about the future.”

Amanda Mottola Otraway LLC

IT’S HOME: Amanda Mottola, who was born in Paraguay and adopted as a child by a Connecticut family, set down roots in Rhode Island in 2019 and established a small marketing firm.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

1

Do you believe racism is keeping minorities from starting businesses in the Ocean State or succeeding when they do?

Yes, racism does exist. Do I think it’s adversely affecting people from starting businesses in the U.S.?

Absolutely not. I say that because I’ve seen other places, and comparatively, there’s opportunity here, opportunity that people in other countries can only dream of. You can see that at the border, with people trying to come into the country. It’s something people will die for. Xenophobia, racism and sexism all exist, but if you … get negative thoughts out of your head … that’s when the green lights start happening.

2

How dependent is your business on the support of other minority groups? Is that a sustainable business model?

For me, at this point, I have some minority businesses I work with, but not enough. That’s one of my goals, to focus on partnering with more minority-owned businesses. One of my goals is to do more mentoring and partnering with minority-owned businesses to help them be successful. There could be opportunities.

3

What one thing could Rhode Island do to boost the odds for minority-owned business success?

I think SCORE Rhode Island [a nonprofit volunteer mentorship network] is a great program. I definitely think making their mentorship program

more robust to aid minorities would be a great start. Someone could also do this on their own, by creating a networking group, teaming up with a chamber of commerce and having them facilitate some cultural activities and events to attract minorities to learn about business.

4

Have you had to turn to an entity other than a bank for a loan? Do you believe the state’s lending institutions generally treat minorities fairly?

I don’t really have experience with that. I built impeccable credit over the years, after not having great credit. I think there is a great opportunity for education for minorities on this topic, especially in school or early on. It would be a great deterrent for minorities if they don’t have the financial literacy that can help them be successful. There are probably issues with minorities getting financing, but it probably stems from educational inadequacies with financial literacy.

5

If another minority entrepreneur asked you where they could turn for support for their business, where would you direct them?

I would say four key spots: Social Enterprise Greenhouse is great, SCORE Rhode Island and the Venture Cafe Providence [a community of innovators, entrepreneurs and small businesses], and also United Way, which has a young professional leadership group. n

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 17

FOCUS | SMALL BUSINESS

Reliance on social media has severe downside

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

SONYA

Janigian is not your typical social media influencer.

But in the last 18 months, livestreamed Facebook videos have become a fixture of her Cranston clothing business, a source for promoting events, sales and new stock, and reaching a growing audience of potential customers. She’s even developed a signature greeting, starting each video by welcoming viewers to Sonya’s Clothing, “live and in color from beautiful Cranston.”

“People love the familiarity of it,” she said. “We get messages asking when our next video is.”

Indeed, social media has become a staple of doing business, not just for marketing and talking to customers, but even for direct sales. A 2021 study by consumer data company Statista projected revenue from social commerce would more than double in the next four years, increasing from $36 billion to $79 billion by 2025.

But the rosy glow of social media has a dark side, too, as some entrepreneurs experienced firsthand when Facebook, Instagram and related platforms under the new Meta Platforms Inc. went down

for nearly a day on Oct. 4. The outage cost Mark Zuckerberg’s company an estimated $100 million in revenue, according to some estimates. That’s a drop in the bucket relative to its $29.1 billion second-quarter earnings, but for small businesses that rely on these platforms to connect to customers and sell products, the loss of service was painful.

Janigian was not among them. She did not even notice the platforms were down, she says. As a longtime business owner – she started the boutique in 1983 – her business was built long before Instagram and TikTok even existed.

That’s not the case for many newer businesses, particularly those started by younger entrepreneurs whose upbringing was accompanied by likes, shares and reposts. Mahran Izoli and his wife, Nur Shahida Roslan, started their gourmet cookie business, Feed the Cheeks Inc., from Roslan’s Instagram account.

For nearly the first year of the business, Instagram was the sole way the millennial Providence couple could market, and sell, their giant 6-ounce cookies.

They never had any problems relying on the platform, Izoli said. In fact, Instagram was a huge part of their early

‘They don’t realize the time it takes to do social media well.’

KRISTEN REGINE, Johnson & Wales University marketing professor 18 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

AND ... A ­ CTION: Sonya Janigian, right, owner of Sonya’s Clothing, shoots a Facebook Live video in her Cranston boutique with the company’s sales manager, Carmen Garcia.

PBN PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

business success, with reposts by family and friends helping them grow a customer base quickly and cheaply.

“It really just blew up,” Izoli said.

That initial demand gave them the confidence to expand, justifying the cost of renting a storefront in Providence’s Wayland Square and launching a website in February 2020.

They are planning to add a second kitchen later this year and expand what is still a “bare bones” webpage to include an e-commerce platform, Izoli said.

While social media platforms can break down the barriers to entry for new entrepreneurs, too little investment in other channels can mean not much in return, warned Kristen Regine, a marketing professor at Johnson & Wales University. Not only do these platforms leave business owners at the mercy of another company, they still require a well-planned strategy to be effective, Regine said.

“The biggest misstep for small businesses is they don’t realize the time it takes to do social media well,” she said. “If you’re willing to spend thousands of dollars in advertising as a percentage of sales, why would you not want to be as fully in control and knowledgeable about it as possible?”

It is for that reason that Amber Jackson, owner of The Black Leaf Tea & Culture Shop, just hired her first employee to manage the shop’s Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages.

Jackson, a millennial who came of age in the era of Myspace and Facebook, has always understood the value of social media, starting Facebook and Instagram pages for her business at the same time she opened in 2019. But she had her own website, e-commerce store and email list to rely on, too.

“It’s the most direct and most immediate source of connection to your customers,” Jackson said of social media.

And those connections have turned into dollars. While she doesn’t sell directly through Facebook or Instagram, Jackson estimated 30% to 40% of the traffic on her e-commerce page comes from social media platforms.

Janigian, who earlier this year added a new e-commerce platform that syncs items posted on her business social media pages back to the shop, wasn’t yet seeing that kind of payoff in sales. But she was confident it would come.

“We’re starting to see our social media snowball a bit,” she said. “That doesn’t necessarily turn into instantaneous sales, but we’re paving the path, so down the road it’s familiar.

When someone is thinking of buying a prom dress or sportswear, they remember us.”

In the meantime, she was happy to continue honing her social media strategy, experimenting on different settings or types of posts and videos to see what worked best. Already, she’s grown more comfortable in front of the camera.

“It was a little daunting at first,” Janigian said. “I am the least savvy when it comes to technology. It is not my strong suit. But knowing my product and knowing my customers is my strong suit.” n

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Pandemic relief programs still have aid available

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, many businesses in the hard-hit arts and hospitality industries were forced to shutter. But drawing from state grant funding, Brooklyn Coffee Tea & Guest House LLC event space and Blaze Smith Hill restaurant expanded.

The funding – a $10,000 R.I. Commerce Corp. grant and a $5,050 Hospitality, Arts & Tourism grant – allowed the venue space and restaurant, which are located at the same address on Douglas Avenue in Providence, to start on projects that will bring updated technology, new partnerships with other arts organizations, and more indoor and outdoor seating space to the businesses.

“A lot of spaces have closed,” said Berry-Jean Murray, CEO of both businesses. “We’ve used this grant money to expand where we can so that we have a lot more venue space.”

While many have also called on state leaders to allocate a portion of the state’s $1.1 billion of American Rescue Plan Act funding to help small businesses, grants and other assistance programs already have played an instrumental role in helping small businesses to weather temporary closures, increased expenses and other pandemic hardships. Much of the money came from $1.25 billion awarded to Rhode Island through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act in 2020.

Some programs still have money available, and others are still being created.

Earlier this month, Gov. Daniel J. McKee unveiled a $4.5 million Back to Business program that would offer $5,000 grants to small businesses struggling with labor shortages.

While there are “never enough resources for small businesses,” Murray said, she sees these funding efforts as “an absolute, sincere attempt” to help small businesses stay afloat and thrive in the face of hardship.

“These grants have just breathed life into a lot of these businesses … that COVID just devastated,” Murray said.

The Hospitality, Arts and Tourism program – otherwise known as the HArT Recovery Grant Program – awarded $6.1 million to 79 organizations to support additional arts programming, and $8.9 million to directly support arts and cultural organizations.

Also, a Restore Rhode Island grant program provided $5.2 million to 4,353 awardees, while a bridge loan program dispersed 334 loans totaling $1.7 million. Additionally, the Take it Outside program dispersed 111 awards totaling $7.4 million to help businesses increase outdoor activities.

R.I. Commerce continues to offer small-business assistance such as the Innovation Voucher program, which provides up to $50,000 to businesses for research and development purposes and has so far awarded 97 vouchers totaling $4.5 million. The ongoing Rhode Island Small Business Assistance Program has awarded over $22 million toward 168 loans intended to support small-business owners and entrepreneurs having difficulty securing credit from traditional lending sources.

At the federal level, the U.S. Small Business Administration programs have provided around $4 billion to the state’s small businesses to assist with COVID-19-related struggles, according to Mark S. Hayward, SBA Rhode Island district director.

That amount comprises a mixture of grants and loans, Hayward said, and around 95% to 97% of the loans have been forgiven. Additionally, the

‘Not only did it help us stay afloat, it helped us really grow as well.’

JOHN CARNEY, American Ecotech customer service manager

SMALL BUSINESS | FOCUS agency has rolled out various technical assistance programs throughout the pandemic.

Warren-based American Ecotech LLC, which designs and installs air pollution monitoring systems, also experienced a boost in business through its use of state grant funding, said John Carney, the company’s customer service manager.

American Ecotech received a $25,000 Restore RI grant that went to pay for utilities and rent and a $36,000 SupplyRI grant for pandemic-related technology and workplace adjustments. The business also received two Innovation Vouchers.

“We came out of this better than where we entered,” Carney said. “So not only did it help us stay afloat, it helped us really grow as well.”

With the grant funding, American Ecotech expanded its technology so that more employees could work remotely and offer virtual training for clients.

Some businesses may not be aware of these programs, Carney said, noting that office manager Traci Lasher, who wrote the grants, set aside time to keep on top of grant opportunities. For businesses unfamiliar with the process, Carney said, it might be more difficult.

Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, said that state and federal grants provide essential support for small businesses, though challenges that could be more difficult to address through grants alone are overwhelming many businesses.

“To have cash on hand in the form of grants and loans, particularly for businesses that have suffered, is vitally important,” White said.

But the needs of businesses have changed since the early days of the pandemic, White said, often shifting from primarily financial concerns to problems such as worker shortages. To address this issue, White said that funding for training programs can increase the number of skilled workers needed for short-staffed fields, which could provide some relief. n

CHANGING NEEDS: Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, says business grants should be targeted differently as challenges for businesses shift over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 21

FOCUS | FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES (ranked by number of local FTE employees) FOCUS | FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES (ranked by number of local FTE employees) CLOSER LOOK

Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

Family Name No. of generations

No. of local employees

Type of business

Year founded

Blount Fine Foods Corp. | blountfinefoods.com Todd Blount, president

630 Currant Road Fall River, Mass. 02720 (774) 888-1300

Blount 5

1,598

Manufacturing

1946

2 2020: 2

Ocean State Job Lot | oceanstatejoblot.com Marc Perlman, principal owner and CEO; Alan Perlman and Steve Aronow, principal owners

375 Commerce Park Road North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 295-2672

Perlman and Aronow 2

1,287

Retail

1977

3 2020: 3

Procaccianti Cos. | procaccianti.com James Procaccianti

1140 Reservoir Ave. Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 946-4600

Procaccianti 2

1,050

Real estate investment company engaged in acquisition, renovation and management of real estate

1958

Lafrance Hospitality | lafrancehospitality.com Richard Lafrance

41 Old Bedford Road Westport, Mass. 02790 (508) 678-7888

Lafrance 2

796

Catering, event venues, hospitality, hotels

1955

Teknor Apex Co. | teknorapex.com Jonathan D. Fain, chairman and CEO; Suresh Swaminathan, president

505 Central Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02861 (401) 725-8000

Fain 3

583

Manufacturer of advanced polymer compounds and garden hoses

1924

Cardi Corp. | cardi.com Antonio Cardi, president

400 Lincoln Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 739-8300

Cardi 4

550

Contractor specializing in bridge, highway and heavy construction

1967

Taco Inc. 1 | tacocomfort.com John Hazen White Jr., owner and executive chairman; Cheryl Merchant, CEO

1160 Cranston St. Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 942-8000

White 3

520

Manufacturer of circulators, controls, pumps and valves for HVAC systems

1920

The Jan Cos. | jancompanies.com William N. Janikies, president

35 Sockanosset Cross Road Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 946-4000

Janikies 2

500

Fast food, full-service dining, doughnut, ice cream and country club operations

1969

Gem Plumbing & Heating Services LLC | askgem.com Leonard Gemma, Larry Gemma and Eddy Gemma, presidents

1 Wellington Road Lincoln, R.I. 02864 (401) 867-5309

Gemma NA

440

Plumbing, heating, cooling, drain cleaning, septic, electric and handyman service

1949

Gilbane Inc. | gilbaneco.com Thomas F. Gilbane Jr., chairman

7 Jackson Walkway Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 456-5800

Gilbane 6

423

Construction and real estate development

1870

2020: 13

Del's Lemonade & Refreshments Inc. | dels.com Bruce DeLucia

1260 Oaklawn Ave. Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 463-6190

DeLucia 2

350 2

Frozen-lemonade franchise and dry-mix distributor

1948

12 2020: 14

J.L. Marshall & Sons | jlmarshall.com Leo K. Marshall, president

P.O. Box 2210 Pawtucket, R.I. 02861 (508) 399-8910

Marshall 4

275

Builder, general contractor and concrete-trade subcontractor

1933

13

Dimeo Construction Co. | dimeo.com Bradford S. Dimeo

75 Chapman St. Providence, R.I. 02905 (401) 781-9800

Dimeo 3

257

Pre-construction, construction services

1930

Arden Building Cos. LLC | ardenbuildingcompanies.com Robert Bolton, CEO

505 Narragansett Park Drive Pawtucket, R.I. 02861 (401) 727-3500

Arden/ Bolton 3

249

Construction, design and engineering firm

1954

15

Natco Home Group | natcohome.com Michael Litner, president

155 Brookside Ave. West Warwick, R.I. 02893 (401) 828-0300

Litner and Galkin 4

200

Manufacturing and importing of home textiles and flooring

1917

16

John Matouk & Co. | matouk.com George Matouk Jr., CEO

925 Airport Road Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 997-3444

Matouk 3

175

Manufacturer of fine bed and bath linens

1929

17

Wright's Farm Corp. | wrightsfarm.com Frank Galleshaw III, owner

84 Inman Road Burrillville, R.I. 02830 (401) 769-2856

Galleshaw 2

160

Restaurant, banquet hall and food wholesaler

1972

Russell Morin Catering & Events | morins.com Russell Morin Jr., CEO

95 Frank Mossberg Drive Attleboro, Mass. 02703 (508) 226-6600

Morin 4

150

Restaurant and catering

1911

Contech Medical | contechmedical.com Raymond Byrnes, CEO; Christopher Byrnes, president

99 Hartford Ave. Providence, R.I. 02909 (401) 351-4890

Byrnes 2

110

Medical-device manufacturer

1987

20 2020: NL

Dean Warehouse Services | deanwarehouse.com Bradford S. Dean, CEO; Joseph Iovini, president

70 Industrial Road Cumberland, R.I. 02864 (401) 334-4677

Dean NA

100

Warehouse, distribution and fulfillment services

1980

20

Newport Vineyards and Winery LLC | newportvineyards.com John Nunes, owner, vintner and brewmaster

909 East Main Road Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 848-5161

Nunes 3

100

Vineyard, winery, restaurant, brewery

1995

2021 rank

1

2020: 4

4

2020: 5

5

2020: 7

6

2020: 10

7

2020: 6

8

2020: 1

9 2020: NL 10 2020: 9 11

2020: 15

14

2020: 11

2020: 16

2020: 21

2020: 19

18

2020: 20

19

2020: 23

2020: 24

1 Also known as Taco Comfort Solutions.

2 Employee count consists of workers employed during the summer months across Rhode Island.

22 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Total number of local employees:

10,588 LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

UPCOMING LISTS Nov. 26: Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firms, Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass., Regional Information Technology Employers; Dec. 10: Corporate Giving, Mortgage Bankers and Brokers, Rhode Island Coworking Spaces WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4838 or write to Research@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

FOOTNOTES j Also known as Taco Comfort Solutions.  Employee count consists of workers employed during the summer months across Rhode Island.

FOCUS | FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES (ranked by number of local FTE employees) FOCUS | FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES (ranked by number of local FTE employees) CLOSER LOOK

Family Name No. of generations

No. of local employees

Type of business

Year founded

Admiral Packaging Inc. | admiralpkg.com Harley Frank, president

10 Admiral St. Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 274-7000

Frank 4

80

Flexible packaging and packaging supplies

1898

Pranzi Catering and Events Inc. | pranzi.com Lisa Mattiello, co-owner and president; Nick Mattiello, co-owner and general manager

10 Rosario Drive Providence, R.I. 02909 (401) 383-3631

Mattiello 1

80

Catering weddings, corporate events, social private events

1997

Pariseault Builders Inc. | pariseault.com Brian Casey, president

25 Sharpe Drive Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 738-0524

Pariseault 4

70

Construction management firm

1946

D.F. Pray Inc. | dfpray.com Scott Pray, president

25 Anthony St. Seekonk, Mass. 02771 (508) 336-3366

Pray NA

Paolino Properties LP | paolinoproperties.com Joseph R. Paolino Jr., managing partner; Donna Paolino, partner

100 Westminster St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 274-6611

2020: 32

Taylor Box Co. | taylorbox.com Daniel Shedd, president; Marken Shedd, general manager

28

Greylawn Foods Inc. | greylawn.com Sidney Goldman, president

2021 rank

22

2020: 25

22

2020: NL

24

2020: 27

25

2020: 25

26

2020: 29

27

2020: 30

Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

65

Construction company, general contractor

Paolino 5

55

Real estate management and investment

1900

293 Child St. Warren, R.I. 02885 (401) 245-5900

Shedd 4

52

Manufacturer of premium and luxury paperboard packaging

1885

2032 Plainfield Pike Cranston, R.I. 02921 (401) 223-4400

Goldman 4

45

Refrigerated- and frozen-foods transportation and warehousing company

1900

1959

E.W. Burman Inc. | ewburman.com Edward Burman, president

33 Vermont Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 738-5400

Burman 3

38

Construction manager and general contractor

1964

31 2020: NL

Ahlborg Construction Corp. | ahlborg.com Eric Ahlborg, president; Glenn Ahlborg, vice president and director of construction operations

355 Centerville Road Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 681-4949

Ahlborg NA

35

General contracting, construction management and design-build

2009

32

Behan Bros. Inc. | behanbros.com Michael J. Behan Jr., owner and president; Garrett Behan and Michael Behan, vice presidents

975 Aquidneck Ave. Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 846-1516

Behan 2

25

General contractor

1973

32 2020: 39

Deslandes Construction Inc. | deslandesconstruction.com James G. Deslandes Sr., president; James Deslandes Jr., vice president

126 Bellows St. Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 467-7600

Deslandes 3

25

General contractor

1963

34 2020: 38

Loiselle Insurance Agency | loiselleinsurance.com Robert Loiselle, president; Brenda LoiselleMarcotte and Melanie Loiselle-Mongeon, vice presidents

279 Dexter St. Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 (401) 723-8510

Loiselle 4

24

Insurance services

1943

2020: 41

35

Reade Advanced Materials | reade.com Emily S. Reade, president

850 Waterman Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (401) 433-7000

Reade 5

15

Global distributor of higher technology inorganic materials

1773

2020: 37

35

Luxury Cleaners Inc. | luxurycleanersri.com Tarra Lombardi Ferrara, president

610 Smithfield Ave. Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 725-0636

Lombardi 3

15

Dry-cleaning services

1947

37

Trailblaze Marketing | trailblaze.marketing Christopher Parisi, founder and president

333 Westminster St., Suite 200 Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 753-7470

Parisi 1

12

Full-service digital marketing agency

2018

Home Healthsmith LLC | homehealthsmith.com William Bohmbach, CEO

207 High Point Ave., No. 2 Portsmouth, R.I. 02871 (401) 293-0415

Bohmbach 2

12

Home modifications for accessibility and safety

2012

39 2020: NL

E. Turgeon Construction Corp. | eturgeon.com Francis Ducharme, president; Davi Ducharme, secretary; Christopher Ducharme, treasurer

8 Webb St., Unit B Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 943-0190

Ducharme 4

10

Construction management and general contracting firm

1896

40 2020: NL

Pow Science LLC | powsciencetoys.com Hema Bulmer, proprietor

160 Old Tower Hill Rd South Kingstown, R.I. 02879 (401) 788-1024

Bulmer NA

7

Educational/science-oriented toys; science enrichment programs for elementary and middle school

2003

R.I. Temps Inc. | ritemps.com Diane Martin, CEO; Scott Seaback, president

56 Maple St. Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 781-8400

Seaback NA

5

Family-owned and -operated professional staffing and recruitment company

1978

Bellows Funeral Chapel | bellowsfuneralchapel.com Bradford Bellows, president

160 River Road Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 723-9792

Bellows 6

5

Funeral and cremation services

1821

30

2020: 33

2020: 36

2020: NL

37

2020: 43

41

2020: 46

41

2020: 47

40

Disaster Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction

2

Bellows Funeral Chapel Year founded: 1821

3

40 Minnesota Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 274-4444

Pomeranz 3

1

Reade Advanced Materials Year founded: 1773

Single Source Disaster Recovery Specialists Inc. | singlesource-usa.com Mike Pomeranz, owner and president; Justin Pomeranz, owner and vice president

29 2020: 35

Re-ranked by oldest companies:

1971

Gilbane Inc. Year founded: 1870

LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

UPCOMING LISTS Nov. 26: Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firms, Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass., Regional Information Technology Employers; Dec. 10: Corporate Giving, Mortgage Bankers and Brokers, Rhode Island Coworking Spaces WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4838 or write to Research@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 23

FOCUS | WOMEN-RUN BUSINESSES (ranked by number of regional employees) FOCUS | WOMEN-RUN BUSINESSES (ranked by number of regional employees) Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

No. of regional employees

Type of business

Year founded

CVS Health Corp. | cvshealth.com Karen S. Lynch

1 CVS Drive Woonsocket, R.I. 02895 (401) 765-1500

8,600

Pharmacy retail and health insurance services

1962

Brown University | brown.edu Christina H. Paxson, president

1 Prospect St. Providence, R.I. 02912 (401) 863-1000

4,709

Higher education

1764

General Dynamics Electric Boat | gdeb.com Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO; Kevin M. Graney, president

165 Dillabur Ave. North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 268-2300

4,700

Submarine construction, design and life cycle maintenance

1899

4

The Miriam Hospital 1 | miriamhospital.org Maria Ducharme, president

164 Summit Ave. Providence, R.I. 02906 (401) 793-2500

3,230

Hospital

1926

5

Fidelity Investments Inc. | fidelity.com Abigail P. Johnson, chairman and CEO

900 Salem St. Smithfield, R.I. 02917 (401) 292-5000

3,200

Financial services

1946

Sturdy Memorial Hospital | sturdymemorial.org Aimee Brewer, CEO

211 Park St. Attleboro, Mass. 02703 (508) 222-5200

1,605

Hospital

1913

Johnson & Wales University | jwu.edu Marie Bernardo-Sousa, president, Providence campus

8 Abbott Park Place Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 598-1000

1,437

Higher education

1914

Verizon Communications Inc. | verizon.com Nia C. Mathis, regional president, New England

234 Washington St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (800) 837-4966

1,300

Telecommunications provider

1870

Diocesan Health Facilities | dhfo.org Joanne Roque, CEO

368 North Main St. Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 679-8154

989

Care homes and health programs sponsored by the Diocese of Fall River

1939

Newport Hospital 1 | newporthospital.org Crista F. Durand, president

20 Powel Ave. Newport, R.I. 02840 (401) 846-6400

831

Hospital

1873

2020: 7

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island | bcbsri.com Martha L. Wofford

500 Exchange St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 459-1000

784

Health insurer

1939

2020: 8

12

Community College of Rhode Island | ccri.edu Meghan Hughes, president

400 East Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 825-1000

754

Higher education

1964

2020: 6

13

People Inc. | peopleincfr.org Megan Stirk

4 South Main St. Fall River, Mass. 02721 (508) 679-5233

750

Health/human services nonprofit corporation

1968

14

Bristol Community College | bristolcc.edu Laura L. Douglas, president

777 Elsbree St. Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 678-2811

735

Higher education

1965

15

HopeHealth | hopehealthco.org Diana Franchitto

1085 North Main St. Providence, R.I. 02904 (401) 415-4200

700

Home and hospice care

1976

16

Salve Regina University | salve.edu Kelli J. Armstrong, president

100 Ochre Point Ave. Newport, R.I. 02840 (401) 847-6650

560

Higher education

1947

17

J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center | trudeaucenter.org Judith Sullivan

3445 Post Road Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 739-2700

400

Clinical, educational, residential and employment services for children and adults with developmental disabilities

1964

18

Comprehensive Community Action Program | comcap.org Joanne McGunagle

311 Doric Ave. Cranston, R.I. 02910 (401) 467-9610

350

Social services, health care nonprofit

1965

Family Service Association | frfsa.org Sharon Ford, CEO; Carol Nagle, president

101 Rock St. Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 677-3822

310

Social service agency providing an integrated system of services for children, adults and the elderly

1888

Residential Properties Ltd. | residentialproperties.com Sally Lapides

140 Wickenden St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 274-6740

291

Real estate brokerage

1981

2020: 19

Family Service of Rhode Island | familyserviceri.org Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO

134 Thurbers Ave. Providence, R.I. 02905 (401) 331-1350

242

Social services nonprofit

1892

2020: 24

22

Crossroads Rhode Island | crossroadsri.org Karen Santilli

160 Broad St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 521-2255

178

Social service agency working to secure stable homes for homeless families and individuals

1894

23

City Personnel | citypersonnel.net Dawn Apajee, president

480 Broadway Providence, R.I. 02909 (401) 331-2311

110

Recruitment firm

2006

Jammat Housing and Community Development Corp. | jammatri.org Stephanie Holley, chief operating officer

801 Elmwood Ave. Providence, R.I. 02907 (401) 785-8440

100

Provides therapeutic, educational and supportive services to youths and families in Rhode Island

1992

Pranzi Catering and Events Inc. | pranzi.com Lisa Mattiello, co-owner and president; Nick Mattiello, co-owner and general manager

10 Rosario Drive Providence, R.I. 02909 (401) 383-3631

80

Catering weddings, corporate events, social private events

1997

2021 rank

1 2020: NL 2

2020: 1

3

2020: 2

2020: NL

2020: 3

6

2020: NL

7

2020: NL

8

2020: 5

9

2020: 4

10

2020: NL

11

2020: NL

2020: 12

2020: 11

2020: 13

2020: 16

19

2020: 19

20

2020: 23

21

2020: NL

24

2020: NL

25

2020: 25

CLOSER LOOK

Re-ranked by oldest companies:

1

Brown University Year founded: 1764

2

Verizon Communications Inc. Year founded: 1870

3

Newport Hospital Year founded: 1873

LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

UPCOMING LISTS Nov. 26: Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firms, Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass., Regional Information Technology Employers; Dec. 10: Corporate Giving, Mortgage Bankers and Brokers, Rhode Island Coworking Spaces WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4838 or write to Research@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

1 Part| of NOVEMBER Lifespan Corp.,12-25, which includes Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Newport Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children's Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.

24 2021 Emma | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS Hospital, | www.pbn.com

FOOTNOTE j Part of Lifespan Corp., which includes Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Newport Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children’s Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 25

FOCUS | ACCOUNTING FIRMS

Is qualifying for CPA license too tough?

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

WITHIN

the accounting profession, certified public accountants are regarded as among the field’s most highly capable and well-compensated individuals. But as firms have difficulty filling roles typically occupied by CPAs, some in the field are questioning if requirements to enter the profession are overly limiting.

To take the CPA exam, which is developed and scored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, candidates must meet numerous education and experience requirements, which come with a high price tag.

“If you’re going to become a CPA, you have to consider all the costs, all the time and all the hassle that you have to go through,” said Saeed Roohani, a professor and chair of the Department of Accounting at Bryant University.

Candidates must take 150 academic credits just to sit for the exam, compared with the 120 required to receive a typical bachelor’s degree. While some students may be able to fit in these extra 30 credits by the end of their undergraduate education, most complete a master’s degree.

In addition to the expenses of an extra year of school, the exam itself is a pricey undertaking. Every state charges about $1,000 to take the exam, and students have to pay again if they don’t pass. Most candidates who do pass the notoriously difficult exam take a review course, which can cost from $1,000 to $3,000.

At Bryant, the number of accounting students is “holding steady,” Roohani said. But nationwide, enrollments in accounting graduate programs have declined, he said.

As interest among young people to enter the profession appears to be waning, Roohani said, many CPAs are reaching retirement age.

A 2019 AICPA report observed that though there was an increase in CPA candidates from 2015 to 2016 after the launch of a new version of the exam, candidates decreased by 7% from 2017 to 2018, the most significant drop in a decade.

Despite the high barriers to entry, many in the field say the career offers a significant payoff, particularly at a time when CPAs are in high demand.

“The commitment isn’t small,” said Stephen Perreault, an associate professor and chair of the Department of Accoun-

NOT EASY: Saeed Roohani, chair of the Department of Accounting at Bryant University, says becoming a certified public accountant requires money and time, which may be dissuading some people from becoming a CPA candidate.

PBN PHOTO/ ELIZABETH GRAHAM

‘You have to consider ... all the hassle that you have to go through.’

SAEED ROOHANI, Bryant University Department of Accounting chair 26 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

tancy at Providence College. The benefits, however, include plenty of job opportunities after graduation and a “steep salary progression” in the years to come, Perreault said.

“The employers we work with are desperate for good accounting talent,” he said.

Still, not all students see this payoff as worthwhile, Roohani said. Even after passing the exam, a CPA’s workload remains heavy. CPAs commonly have to put in 60 to 70 hours per week, he said, and students can feel overwhelmed at the amount of time and work that goes into accounting.

Michael M. Tikoian, a managing partner for Piccerelli, Gilstein & Co. LLP, thinks that this work required for the profession itself, rather than entry barriers, is the main deterrent for students considering getting a CPA license.

“It’s hard to find people to work in that agreement,” Tikoian said of the workload and schedule. “They tend to go to private accounting or work in a private company,” which more often offers a typical Monday-Friday, 40-hour workweek.

Tikoian acknowledged that finding the right candidates for certain roles at his firm can be challenging.

“It’s difficult finding individuals who want to be senior accountants and above, and usually if you’re a senior accountant and above, you are a CPA,” Tikoian said.

To ease the burden of obtaining an accounting license, firms such as Piccerelli, Gilstein & Co. offer financial assistance to CPA candidates on staff, Tikoian said.

At the same time, Tikoian believes the high standard set to obtain a license plays an essential role in preparing candidates for the high responsibility and expertise required in the profession.

The qualifications for a CPA license have changed over the years.

The requirement of 150 academic credits – up from 120 – was first implemented by Florida in 1983, and since then, all U.S. states have followed suit. As states phased in the updated education requirement, they reduced a previous requirement of two years working in a public accounting firm before taking the exam. Now, CPA candidates only need one year working in a firm.

But some believe that the previous standard better served students.

In the extra year that students spend taking the extra 30 credits, they could “learn and experience a lot more” working with a firm, Roohani said.

The extra class time does not have to come from courses related to accounting, Roohani said. Some states specify that these credits must come from business-related courses, but not accounting courses specifically.

Rhode Island and Massachusetts both have no requirements for these courses.

Tikoian believes the working experience is valuable, but so is the additional 30 academic credits. “The more formal education you receive, the better equipped you are for a particular profession,” he said. “And it keeps you current.” n

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FOCUS | ACCOUNTING FIRMS BLOCKCHAIN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

CPAs would no longer use paper credentials that can easily be faked, instead relying on secure blockchain technology to protect identities and CPA licenses.

If the accounting pilot program works, the digital system would be expanded to include other state departments, according to DBR Director Elizabeth M. Tanner.

“This [will be] a decadeslong project, but you have to start somewhere,” Tanner said. “We’re starting with something of low excitement [in accounting] because we wanted to make sure we could test it. We believe that we could be the first in the United States to have this kind of a system set up.”

Right now, the R.I. Board of Accountancy – which is overseen by DBR – issues paper CPA licenses to people who pass an exam, complete 15 hours of post-graduate accounting education, spend a year working under a licensed CPA and receive a high grade in an ethics course.

Under the new system, digital credentials can be shared via a mobile app in clickable link form, making verification almost instantaneous.

Verification of a credential is done over the blockchain, a digital records archive or ledger of transactions that evolved out of the cryptocurrency

READY FOR LAUNCH: Elizabeth M. Tanner, left, director of the R.I. Department of Business Regulation, and Melissa Travis, CEO and president of the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants, are preparing for a pilot program in which blockchain technology will be used for the credentials of the state’s CPAs. PBN PHOTO/CASSIUS SHUMAN

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ACCOUNTING FIRMS | FOCUS industry. Blockchain is an expanding list of records connected via cryptography, algorithms designed to protect information, forming a digital chain.

The state’s pilot program began in early November.

William R. Pirolli, a board member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and partner at Warwick-based DiSanto, Priest & Co., was the first CPA scheduled to participate.

“I am very proud that Rhode Island is the first in the country to implement digital licensing for CPAs,” he said. “I am excited to be among the first to have my license to practice stored and verified in this format. We are ahead of the curve in innovation.”

Melissa Travis, CEO and president of the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants, said that a digital credentialing system provides a fast, secure way for accountants to adapt their record-keeping practices to modern technology. This technology will soon be widespread, especially as blockchain and cryptocurrencies become more prevalent, she said.

“This is a natural progression of our accounting practices,” Travis said. “This will be the standard very quickly in our industry and bring the state of Rhode Island into the digital age.”

Travis said a unique piece to the state’s credentialing is that Tanner is a recognized global blockchain expert.

“She is the first person I know to become an e-resident of Estonia, which is the blockchain capital of the

‘We believe that we could be the first ... to have this kind of a system.’

ELIZABETH M. TANNER, R.I. Department of Business Regulation director

world,” Travis said.

Tanner said that while working for the R.I. Commerce Corp. she learned about blockchain technology after researching ways to make it easier to do business in the state. Her research led to a review of business practices in other countries, where she discovered that Estonia, a tiny country in northern Europe, had created a digital identity system.

“So, I became an e-resident of Estonia to get a better sense of it,” Tanner said.

What she discovered in blockchain was a new way of doing business without the use of paper, eliminating the repetitive steps of filling out documents, using instead a secured, central digital system of government.

Tanner said every state wants a “one-stop shop” where people can go through one website to fulfill a task.

“No state in the country that I have seen is doing anything like this,” she said, noting that her department operates almost entirely by using a similar electronic record-keeping system.

Sandesh Shetty, director of client services in the Providence offices of global tech goliath Infosys Ltd., has been working on the blockchain pilot program for three years. He said a “digital wallet” on a mobile app will facilitate the use of the identity blockchain technology. “[The digital wallet] will have a QR code on it that will help identify a person’s blockchain identity,” he said.

A digital wallet is utilized to convey sensitive identity-related information when completing an application or seeking a license or service. That circumvents the need for a document or records search to complete an application or service request.

Pirolli said the pilot program will provide verifiable proof of status as a fully licensed CPA authorized to practice. It will also streamline the renewal process by verifying an identity to DBR and allowing for digital sharing of continuing education information.

Shetty said participants download the digital wallet containing their credentials to begin the process.

The digital wallet becomes the place where their identity information is stored, updated and shared with recipients.

Infosys has built a system connected to the R.I. Department of Motor Vehicles, utilizing Real ID licensing to verify the credentials of the program’s participant accountants.

The next step would be to integrate the state’s governmental system. The DBR’s system will serve as the foundation for the digital infrastructure, so departments can be added to the system, he said.

“This is a very big leap for the state. It is a big move,” Shetty said. n

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FOCUS | ACCOUNTING FIRMS (ranked by number of CPAs in Rhode Island) FOCUS | ACCOUNTING FIRMS (ranked by number of CPAs in Rhode Island) 2020 rank

1

2020: 1

2

2020: 3

Company | Website Managing partner(s)

Address Phone

Number of CPAs Total staff

CLOSER LOOK Principal services

Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co. Ltd. 1 | kahnlitwin.com Alan H. Litwin, managing director

951 North Main St. Providence, R.I. 02904 (401) 274-2001

106 197

Cybersecurity, cloud accounting, international tax, recruiting, tax and accounting, technology consulting, transaction advisory

DiSanto, Priest & Co. | disantopriest.com Emilio N. Colapietro

117 Metro Center Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 921-2000

49 99

Accounting, tax and business advisory services for privately held businesses, and their owners and operators

Total number of CPAs:

376 LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette

3

2020: 4

Sansiveri, Kimball & Co. LLP | sansiveri.com Jason DaPonte

50 Holden St. Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 331-0500

36 62

Audit and accounting, business consulting and valuation, financial planning, forensic services, tax consulting and compliance

4 2020: 5

Marcum LLP | marcumllp.com Thomas E. Lisi, office managing partner

155 South Main St., Suite 100 Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 457-6700

32 70

Advisory, assurance, business consulting and process outsourcing, litigation/investigative services, risk management, tax planning

5 2020: 7

Citrin Cooperman | citrincooperman.com Peter T. Brown, managing partner, Providence office

500 Exchange St., Suite 9-100 Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 421-4800

25 64

Business consulting, data and risk security, outsourced and chief financial officer advisory services, solutions-based attest, tax, audit

6 2020: 8

Piccerelli, Gilstein & Co. LLP | pgco.com Michael Tikoian

144 Westminster St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 831-0200

18 43

Auditing, accounting, business valuation, forensic accounting, litigation support, personal accounting, tax preparation, elder care planning, value growth

NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

UPCOMING LISTS Nov. 26: Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firms, Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass., Regional Information Technology Employers; Dec. 10: Corporate Giving, Mortgage Bankers and Brokers, Rhode Island Coworking Spaces WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4838 or write to Research@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

6

Weinberg & Co. LLP | weinbergcpas.com Carl Weinberg

300 Centerville Road Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 737-6300

18 34

Accounting, auditing, business consulting, national and international acquisitions, and tax planning and preparation

8

PKF O'Connor Davies LLP | pkfod.com Ned McCrory, Providence office managing partner

40 Westminster St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 621-6200

17 30

Acquisitions, business consulting, full-service audit and tax, personal wealth and estate planning, state and local tax planning

Restivo Monacelli LLP | rm-llp.com Edmund Restivo, founding partner; Kevin Hundley, managing partner; Helder Medeiros, partner, estate planning and wealth preservation; John Cacchiotti, partner, business valuation and litigation support; Steven Monacelli, Brian Frenette, Ron Dean and Brian Silva, partners

36 Exchange Terrace Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 273-7600

17 50

Accounting and auditing; state, federal and international tax services; estate and wealth preservation; strategic planning/consulting

Marcovich, Mansour & Capobianco LLC Joseph Mansour Jr.

640 George Washington Highway Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 334-9099

9 51

Accounting, bookkeeping, business consulting, corporate and individual income tax planning and preparation, payroll services

2020: NL

Sinel, Wilfand & Vinci CPAs Inc. | swvcpas.com James Sinman, Michael Orabona Vincent Vinci and Wayne Wilfand, partners

931 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 3006 Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 463-8600

8 16

Business valuations, consulting for medical/ dental companies, financial/tax planning, management advisory services

11 2020: NL

Mullen Scorpio Cerilli | mullenscorpiocerilli.com Anthony Scorpio

67 Cedar St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 751-3860

8 15

Audit/review/compilation, business consulting, employee benefit plans, tax planning/compliance for individuals, businesses, trusts

Feeney Pinkerton LLC | feeneypinkerton.com William Feeney Jr. and Lindsey Pinkerton, partners

690 Warren Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (402) 431-1010

8 14

Bank financing, new business formation, strategic business planning, tax services

Ward, Fisher & Co. LLP | wardfisher.com Robert Giudici and James Aceto, partners

250C Centerville Road Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 384-6464

7 13

Audits of contractors, manufacturers, employee benefit plans and nonprofits, fullservice accounting, management and taxes

2020: 14

Cayer Caccia LLP | cayercaccia.com Gerard Cayer, Mark Caccia and Donna Caccia, founding partners

931 Jefferson Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 732-8900

7 12

Financial planning and wealth management, tax preparation and consulting

16 2020: 14

Charland Marciano & Co. CPAs LLP | cm-cpas.com Alfred T. Marciano

18 Imperial Place Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 331-9600

6 16

Attest services, business solutions and valuation, expert witness/representation before IRS, financial planning, full-service accounting

Rosenstein, Halper & Maselli LLP Thomas Maselli and Jay Rosenstein, certified public accountants

30 Chapel View Blvd., Suite 220 Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 331-6851

5 9

Compilation and review of financial statements, income/estate tax planning and compliance, trust and elder services

2020: 10

2020: 9

8

2020: 11

10

2020: 12

11

11

2020: NL

14

2020: 13

14

17

2020: 16

30 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com 1 Also known as KLR.

FOOTNOTE j Also known as KLR.

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IT’S PERSONAL CCRI awarded $7M in TRIO grants TRACY KARASINSKI is dean of the Office of Opportunity and Outreach at the Community College of Rhode Island, which was recently awarded a pair of five-year U.S. Department of Education TRIO grants totaling $7.4 million for the college to continue providing more than 4,000 low-income and first-generation Rhode Islanders services via the Rhode Island Educational Talent Search program and the Rhode Island Educational Opportunity Center.

Can you explain the services and programs that the RIETS and RIEOC initiatives offer to students?

Both the Rhode Island Talent Search program and the Rhode Island Educational Opportunity Center provide a comprehensive array of individualized, one-on-one services to students beginning in the sixth grade (Talent Search) and adults 19 and older. Counselors in the Talent Search program meet with students in their schools to discuss their goals and provide the individualized support students need to advance to the next grade and enter college upon high school graduation. Among the services Talent Search provides are guidance in choosing an academically rigorous curriculum, career exploration and guidance, and study skills and test-taking strategies.

EOC helps students choose the right college program, complete applications and essays, and offers academic counseling.

What will the $7.4 million grants be put toward?

These funds, awarded over a five-year period, will allow us to continue providing a wide variety of support services, as well as the motivation and encouragement that Rhode Island [youths] and adults need to succeed in the classroom, complete a high school credential and enter college or postsecondary training.

The RIETS program assists young students in Central Falls, Providence and Woonsocket. Does CCRI plan to expand to help students from additional communities?

We applied for a second Talent Search project in hopes of expanding services to 500 more students in four middle schools and two high schools in the Providence district. (This project proposal was not funded in the first funding band.) We recognize that the need is great, and we are deeply committed to doing all that we can to help Rhode Island’s [youths] and adults overcome barriers that stand in the way of their educational and life goals.

In what ways did CCRI continue this programming to help students during the ongoing pandemic?

Our programs adapted to the ongoing pandemic like much of the college and nation by pivoting the way we do business. We began working remotely in mid-March 2020 and returned to our offices and target schools earlier this year. During the pandemic, we recruited and served students and their families through video meetings such as Zoom. Not one of our programs skipped a beat and we quickly recognized the hardships our participants were suddenly facing with job losses, lack of access to technology, illness, etc. We have continued to use a hybrid format to meet student needs and provide services quickly and effectively. n

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Brenda Burke, DO, has joined Ortho Rhode Island as a board-certified rheumatologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal, systemic autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases.

A member of the American College of Rheumatology and a graduate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Burke works with patients to treat a broad base of rheumatologic conditions. She is now accepting patients at Ortho Rhode Island’s state-of-the-art Warwick Campus.d.

Cesar Fernandes joins Berkshire Private Banking as a Senior Vice President (SVP). He has over 14 years of experience in private banking providing banking advice and guidance to clients. Fernandes will manage relationships and develop solutions for clients in Rhode Island. Before joining Berkshire Bank, Cesar worked for Bristol County Savings Bank as a Development Specialist. Mr. Fernandes has also held positions as a private banker for BPI (Banco Portugues de Investimento). He began his career as a CPA. Fernandes is a graduate of the Institute of Accounting and Administration in Coimbra, Portugal with a degree in Auditing and Accounting.

HEALTH CARE

HEALTH CARE

HEALTH CARE

HEALTH CARE

The Rhode Island Health Center Association (RIHCA) announces the appointment of Elena Nicolella as the President and Chief Executive Officer.

Ms. Nicolella’s experience includes the role of Medicaid Director at the Rhode Island Office of Health and Human Services, policy work at the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services in the Boston Region 1 Office, and most recently as the Executive Director of New England States Consortium Systems Organization (NESCO). In addition, Ms. Nicolella has been the Chair of the Providence Community Health Center Board of Directors.

Alessandra J. Sax, MD, has joined Rhode Island Medical Imaging as a radiologist.

Dr. Sax held a chief fellow position in Musculoskeletal Radiology, as well as completed a Diagnostic Radiology residency and mini-fellowship in Emergency Radiology, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She completed an internship at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton, MA. Dr. Sax holds both a BS in Neuroscience, cum laude, and a BA in Studio Arts from Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, an MS in Biomedical Science from Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, and earned her MD at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Sax resides in Providence.

Michael Seidler, MD, has joined Rhode Island Medical Imaging as a radiologist. Dr. Seidler, who held a Body Imaging and Intervention Fellowship at Brown University, completed a Diagnostic Radiology Residency at the Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY. He completed his preliminary year in Internal Medicine at Brown University. Dr. Seidler earned a BS degree in Honors Physiology at McGill University, Montreal, QC where he also received his MD and CM degrees. Prior to joining RIMI, Dr. Seidler was a partner in Medical Imaging Consultants. Dr. Seidler resides in East Providence.

Michael Mason, DO is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in total joint replacement of the hip, knee, and shoulder, including robotic-assisted procedures. Dr. Mason brings extensive experience to Ortho Rhode Island’s team of world-class providers. He is a member of the Walk Strong Foundation, a nonprofit that provides hip and knee replacements to underserved communities in developing countries, and has designed and been on the design teams of medical implants and instruments used worldwide. He is now accepting patients at Ortho Rhode Island.

NONPROFIT Children’s Wishes welcomes a new Board Member, Ted DeNicola.

A class of ‘74 Providence College graduate, Ted enjoyed a 35 year career at Providence College in alumni relations, development, and career counseling.

In May of 2019, Ted joined Balanced Wealth Management as the Director of Business Development, continuing to put his networking and relationship building skills to good use. His previous board memberships include Bishop Hendricken High School, The Providence Diocese New Vision of Hope, St. Peter’s School, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

BANKING Natalie Howard joins Berkshire Private Banking as a Private Banking Officer. She has over 7 years of experience in Banking. She spent four years at Berkshires Bank’s Newport, Rhode Island location providing bank products, services, and guidance to clients. Ms. Howard will support and assist Mr. Fernandes and clients in the Rhode Island Market.

Natalie has extensive experience working with consumers in the Retail Banking segment. Prior to joining Berkshire Bank, Natalie served at UniBank in Central Massachusetts in roles including retail, call center, and branches. Natalie earned her BS from Salve Regina in Newport, RI.

NONPROFIT

NONPROFIT

Children’s Wishes appoints new Board Member, Steven Cascione.

An award-winning meteorologist welcomed into the homes of Rhode Islanders for over four decades on WLNE-TV ABC6 and WPRI12, Steven received the Silver Circle Award from the National Television Academy’s Boston/New England Chapter in 2006. Today, Steven is the owner and president of Ocean State Weather and serves as a programming service officer for the RI Department of Transportation. He also provides the daily weather forecast on-air for WADK AM & FM radio in Newport, RI.

Jack Hutson is Children’s Wishes newest Board Member. After attaining the Certified Association Executive designation, of which there are fewer than 4000 nationally, Jack began an association management company where he provides executive director services to clients in various disciplines. Jack served as the key spokesperson for the RI Pharmacists Association, successfully representing the association in connection to the licensing of Canadian Pharmacies, and is actively working to accomplish current legislation goals. Jack brings to the Board decades of experience leading and directing logistics for major annual events as well as holding executive positions with the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association, RI Psychological Association, NAIFA-RI and the Executives Association of RI.

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 33

IT’S PERSONAL DINING OUT | BRUCE NEWBURY

Reemerging food leader OUR STATE IS REEMERGING as a leading light in food.

Recently, celebrity food personality Alton Brown called Providence a “badass food town” during a publicity tour before his appearance on stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center. He took in some of the best of what we are known for around here: coffee syrup and calamari.

Brown was seen outside one of the city’s well-established coffee artisans – Dave’s Coffee on South Main Street – and following his show at PPAC originated a live video onboard his tour bus as he left the city to do a taste test on calamari.

Perhaps next time have a local explain what goes into Rhode Islandstyle calamari. It is difficult to imagine any Federal Hill restaurant using “chili peppers.”

Consider what Rhode Island “exports” foodwise. The port of Point Judith is known as one of, if not, the largest in the world in landing, processing and sending out calamari and other forms of squid. Menus around the world point with pride to “Point Judith calamari” and to a much lesser degree, swordfish.

And coffee syrup, that uniquely Rhode Island concoction, needs no

explanation to the millions of fans who order it to be shipped worldwide to make the state’s official drink, coffee milk.

To use a metaphor befitting the Ocean State, we run up against the rocks beyond these two unique creations. There is produced within the state borders milk, beef, pork, poultry, even lamb and goat. Of these, the only commodity of any quantity that is processed here in Rhode Island is milk and cream. There are two dairy processing facilities in the state: A.B. Munroe Dairy Inc. in East Providence and Wright’s Dairy Farm Inc. in North Smithfield.

The “farm-raised, grass-fed, pastured” sources of protein exist here, but it becomes difficult to get over that last mile. It is required that for public consumption, such commodities must be processed at a U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified facility. There is only one very small such operation in the state, located in

Johnston.

A spokesperson at Blackbird Farm in Foster says the product offered for sale at the farm has to be transported to Connecticut and then back to Rhode Island, creating delays and increased cost. There were plans to put a USDA plant of some size in Portsmouth, but it did not come to fruition due to a “not in my backyard” mentality among residents.

We are fine with poultry and certainly seafood is no issue to bring adequate supply to market. Nikki Ayres of Farm Fresh Rhode Island in a broadcast interview said unequivocally that the local supply chain is not broken. In fact, it is quite strong.

Ayres used no less an example than the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The traditional menu could be quite readily purchased using all state-grown and -produced items from the turkey, potatoes, vegetables, right through to beverages – both soft drinks and “adult” – and certainly

desserts. The issue of price may not be as much of a deal-breaker this year if media reports are to be believed.

Farm Fresh is offering a complete package of enough produce and pie to feed a gathering of six to eight people.

It contains two kinds of potatoes, butternut and delicata squash, yellow onions, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, parsnips, leeks, shallots, herbs, mushrooms, cranberry sauce and an 8-inch pumpkin pie. The turkey is not included. It is a free agent in this transaction. But that does not mean one has to settle for a frozen bird.

There are two turkey farms in the state and two more within minutes of the border.

By the way, a note to Mr. Brown – who chose Massimo’s calamari as more sophisticated, Camille’s as more “craveable” – Rhode Island distills some very good vodka, and our wineries are award-winning, so please include them in your next visit and video. n

[R.I.] distills some very good vodka, and our wineries are award-winning.

Bruce Newbury’s radio show and podcast, “Dining Out with Bruce Newbury,” is broadcast on WADK 1540 AM and several radio stations throughout New England. Email him at Bruce@BruceNewbury.com.

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IT’S PERSONAL TO SAVOR | JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO

Thankful for these wines FRIENDS ASK ME REGULARLY if it makes a difference to pair certain wines with the myriad of Thanksgiving dishes. I often share my answer as a question: Do you enjoy orange juice over cereal?

The wine you pair with your Thanksgiving table can create an unsurpassed wine and food pairing experience.

Here are the types that I think pair best with some of the most-enjoyed Thanksgiving cuisine.

All of the wines are less than $30, except one luxury option (Barolo) for those who want to splurge. Depending on the size of your group, I suggest at least one white, red and rosé wine together on the table.

Lighter reds: Pinot noir, gamay noir, grignolino: Pinot noir or gamay noir, the latter another wine similar in style to pinot noir and mostly from France, are styles of wines that are tried-and-true for Thanksgiving cuisine. Pairing wine with the main protein is not crucial. It is more important to pair the wine with the sauces on the protein.

Whether from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, France or California, pinot noir and gamay pair wonderfully with roasted turkey with gravy. Their acidities match nicely with gravy’s protein content.

Grignolino, one of my favorite light-bodied hidden gems from Italy, does too. All three marry well with sautéed or oven-baked Brussels sprouts, alone or with pancetta, and traditional stuffing incorporating the usual suspects – onions, celery, sage and sausage. My picks: Pike Road pinot noir, Carlin de Paolo grignolino, Lulu gamay noir.

Off-dry, fruit-forward or sweet whites: Vouvray, riesling, fiano: The style of whites that also marry

well with the traditional fare of turkey, stuffing, Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes are those that have a touch of sweetness or are fairly fruit forward, not ones that are exceedingly dry. Reach for a sweet or off-dry riesling, an off-dry Vouvray or fiano, an Italian white that shows mouth-filling notes of tropical and citrus fruits. My picks: Whispering Tree riesling, Viking Vouvray and Il Bianco dei Vespa fiano.

Rosé wines: Rosés are right in the middle be-

THANKSGIVING MATCHMAKING: Holiday hosts have plenty of choices for dinner and after dinner, including a dry vermouth, on the far right, from Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth.

COURTESY JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO

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tween whites and reds and are sometimes my top choice for matching with Thanksgiving dishes.

They have the best of all worlds – tannins like reds, acid like whites and fruit like both. Not too dry or too sweet. My pick: La Spinetta Rosato.

Richer, tannic reds: Barolo, Valpolicella or Rhône wines: Meats such as filet mignon and lamb also sit on many Thanksgiving tables. With these, you will want a wine that can stand up to their richness.

Wines with higher tannin levels, such as those from Barolo (made from nebbiolo), Valpolicella or the Rhône Valley, are the ones you should grab for beef. These wines will not overpower stuffing or vegetables such as Brussel sprouts or butternut squash laden with olive oil or butter. My picks: Trediberri Barolo, Corte Rugolin Valpolicella or Alain Voge Cotes du Rhône.

After-dinner vermouth: Dessert wines are, of course, naturally a good partner for desserts or after-dinner cheese, nut and chocolate boards.

However, I reach for vermouth, a mild spirit made from grapes. It has just a hint of sweetness without being cloyingly sweet, with red and white options. My pick: the local Greenvale Vineyard’s dry ­vermouth.

If your menu includes specific dishes for which you need pairing help, send me an email, jessica@ jessicagranatiero.com. Happy Thanksgiving! n

Jessica Granatiero is the founder of The Savory Grape, a wine, beer and spirits shop in East Greenwich. She can be reached through her website, www.jessicagranatiero.com.

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 35

OPINION EDITORIALS

Give business leaders a seat at the table on marijuana talks

LISTENING TO BUSINESS? Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston, says Statehouse negotiators on legislation legalizing recreational marijuana are looking to give Rhode Island businesses similar protections to maintain a drugfree workplace as Connecticut approved earlier this year.

PBN PHOTO/ ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Most business leaders are resigned to adult recreational use of marijuana becoming legal in the Ocean State, maybe as soon as next year.

Much less clear to them, however, is how much control they will be able to maintain over their hiring standards and workplaces.

Part of the problem is that business leaders have not been part of behind-the-scenes negotiations between the governor’s office and top legislative leaders that have been going on for months.

But as this week’s cover story reports, the good news for businesses concerned about maintaining drug-free workplace standards post-legalization is that Rhode Island negotiators are looking to mirror protections for businesses approved in Connecticut. That’s according to Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston, who has been part of the Statehouse negotiations.

That includes allowing all employers to conduct marijuana testing of prospective employees and similar testing or “fitness for duty” evaluations of employees.

Sen. Miller says Rhode Island negotiators also agree industries where marijuana use could present a clear safety hazard, such as manufacturing, should be exempted from any new restrictions on employers’ ability to prohibit marijuana use in or out of the workplace. Connecticut exempted its construction, manufacturing and transportation sectors.

Rhode Island following suit would be welcome news to General Dynamics Electric Boat, which employs about 4,000 in North Kingstown.

But the devil is always in the details and Rhode Island businesses deserve a seat at the table as these details are being hammered out. n

Refugees could help employers Businesses and community groups preparing to welcome an estimated 250 refugees from Afghanistan expected to settle in Rhode Island deserve thanks and, more importantly, support. Their effort to secure housing and food for these evacuees amid an ongoing pandemic is an example for all of us.

The state has also set up AfghanReliefRI.org, an online portal where donations can be made to support the evacuees.

Many of them will also need work, which could also help local businesses still struggling to find workers.

Ocean State Job Lot is already getting involved, both with spice donations for food boxes and plans to provide job training and employment opportunities.

“Whatever skills might be presented, there are generally opportunities at Ocean State Job Lot,” David Sarlitto, executive director of the company’s charitable foundation, told PBN. Hopefully, other Rhode Island businesses, including the still-struggling hospitality sector, will see the resettlement of these refugees as an opportunity to help themselves while also helping others. n

POLL CENTRAL EXECUTIVE POLL

Weighing virtual gatherings Does your company prefer to still hold and/ or attend virtual conferences instead of inperson events?

Has your company heard any concerns from employees about being overwhelmed with virtual conferences?

No: 66.6%

No: 66.7%

Yes: 16.7

Yes: 33.3%

Unsure: 16.7%

Unsure: 0%

Our company does not hold virtual conferences: 0%

Our company does not hold virtual conferences: 0%

What benefits does your company see in holding virtual conferences? (Select multiple)

Does your company foresee continuing holding virtual conferences for the long term?

Decrease in need to travel: 50%

Yes: 50%

Can multitask while at work: 50%

No: 50%

Our company does not see any benefits with virtual conferences: 33.3%

Unsure: 0% Our company does not hold virtual conferences: 0%

Easier to gather everyone in the same space: 16.7% Other: 0%

The Providence Business News Executive Poll is a weekly survey of 70 business leaders throughout the state, representing small and large companies in a variety of industries.

36 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

PBN.COM POLL

Why do you think more people have not returned to the workforce since supplementary federal benefits ended on Sept 6? OCT. 29-NOV. 4 Lack of interest in working

39%

Desire for better jobs or pay than their previous positions

43%

Fear of contracting COVID-19

12%

Early retirements

4%

I’m not sure 2%

If recreational marijuana is legalized in Rhode Island, should some employers still be allowed to prohibit employees from using it outside of the workplace?

THIS WEEK’S POLL:

• Yes, it is a safety issue in several industries • No, employers shouldn’t control what employees legally do outside the workplace • I’m not sure To vote, go to PBN.com and follow the link on the home page

OPINION OPINION

Taxing billionaires’ wealth will never work BEVERLY MORAN GUEST COLUMN

The speed with which a tax on billionaires came and went as a means to pay for President Joe Biden’s economic agenda shows why it’s so hard to tax wealth in the U.S. Democrats unveiled their proposal on Oct. 27, and it was nixed that same day, replaced with a surcharge on millionaire incomes.

The idea of taxing the richest Americans’ fortunes has been batted around for some time, and perhaps with good reason from a tax perspective. The total wealth of U.S. billionaires soared by $1.8 trillion during the COVID-19 pandemic as of mid-August. And recent reporting has found that despite their massive riches, billionaires tend to pay very little in taxes.

As an expert on tax policy, I have observed that there’s a big obstacle standing in the way of a wealth tax: the U.S. Constitution.

Concerns about inequality have increased in recent decades.

Americans enjoyed substantial economic growth and broadly shared prosperity from the end of World War II into the 1970s.

But in the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan dramatically slashed taxes on the wealthy – twice – cutting the top rate on wages from 70% to 28%.

Studies have shown lower income and corporate tax rates, combined with other “trickle-down” policies such as deregulation,

have led to steadily rising income for the richest Americans and wealth inequality.

The most affluent 1% controlled 39% of all wealth – including all cash, real estate, stocks, bonds and other investments – in 2016, up from less than 30% in 1989. At the same time, the bottom 90% held less than a quarter of America’s wealth, compared with more than a third in 1989.

Currently, the federal government taxes all income above $518,400 at 37% for single filers, with an additional 3.8% investment tax on incomes over $200,000. Of course, as a ProPublica cache of tax documents shows, loopholes and tax dodges result in actual income tax rates being significantly lower.

Unlike an income tax, a wealth tax reaches the root of both wealth and income inequality.

But there are strong arguments that a federal wealth tax is unconstitutional.

Wealth taxes violate Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitution, which forbids the federal government from assessing “direct taxes” that aren’t apportioned equally among the states.

A direct tax is a tax on a thing, such as property or income. An indirect tax is a tax on a transaction: for example, a sale or a gift.

The income tax is a direct tax and constitutional because of the 16th Amendment, which specifically allows income taxes without apportionment. As for property, you may

While a wealth tax may not be a workable solution, there are other means.

notice that only states and cities levy real estate taxes. In almost every case, the federal government cannot tax real estate or any other form of wealth absent a transaction.

Proponents of a wealth tax, such as U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, cite a small group of law professors who back her claim that a wealth tax passes constitutional muster. But the argument against constitutionality is strong enough that a Supreme Court challenge is sure to follow any attempt to enact a wealth tax.

Barring a victory before the conservative-leaning Supreme Court or an arduous amendment to the Constitution, the federal government is shut out of taxing wealth.

I agree with progressive lawmakers that the United States should return to economic policies that seek to lift all boats.

Although American wealth and productivity have surged in the past 40 years, most Americans have not seen their lot improve nearly as much as the richest have – and are paying higher tax rates. In 2020 alone, America’s billionaires saw their wealth increase $560 billion, even as tens of millions were unemployed or depended on food donations to get enough to eat.

The U.S. tax system is at least partly responsible for these gaps. While a wealth tax may not be a workable solution, there are other means, such as higher income tax rates for the well-to-do or a wealth transfer tax that focuses on the transfer of wealth to a billionaire’s heirs. These approaches could not only help solve the problem of inequality but would pass legal muster too. n Beverly Moran is a professor emerita of law at Vanderbilt University. Distributed by The Associated Press.

In education system, school librarian as crucial as ever KAREN GAVIGAN GUEST COLUMN

School librarians hear the question all the time: Why do we need school libraries and school librarians when students have the internet?

The perception is that a computer and Wi-Fi are all students need for their informational and recreational needs.

Meanwhile, the number of school librarians in the U.S. has dropped about 20% over the past decade, according to a July 2021 study funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Many states, including Arizona, Texas and Pennsylvania, do not fund or mandate school librarian positions. And an analysis from the National Center for Education Statistics revealed that Hispanic, nonwhite and nonnative English speakers are the students most affected by the decline in librarian positions.

As a former school librarian who researches school library issues and trains future school librarians, I know that decades of research demonstrate that K-12 school librarians have a significant impact on student achievement.

Here are four functions that school librarians carry out that I believe make their role more important now than ever.

Foster digital literacy. ecently, there has been an alarming rise in misinformation and disinformation. This is bad news for

democracy. A 2016 Stanford University study found that nearly 80% of high school students struggle to verify the credibility of a source.

A 2012 Pew Research study revealed that 83% of K-12 teachers think the amount of information available online today is “overwhelming for most students.” Over 70% believe that today’s digital technologies “discourage students from finding and using a wide range of sources for their research.”

Champion the joy of reading. School librarians collect and curate high-quality print and digital materials that help students develop a lifelong love of reading.

Findings from studies such as the 2014 South Carolina Association of School Librarians’ impact study affirm that students who attend schools with full-time certified school librarians score higher on standardized reading tests.

Help teachers enhance their lessons.

School librarians collaborate with classroom teachers to locate resources that enhance and support authentic classroom instruction.

School librarians also work to ensure that students are taught issues of intellectual freedom. They collaborate with teachers to help students understand the ethical use of ideas and information. These include

lessons about acknowledging authorship, properly citing content and developing an understanding of how to correctly use and reproduce others’ work.

Seek out creative, diverse materials.

School librarians select inclusive materials that represent diverse points of views. This ensures that students have materials that reflect their own experiences as well as the experiences of others.

Librarians often provide innovative and creative programs that promote active learning spaces where students share ideas, equipment and knowledge while they work on projects. For example, during Hispanic Heritage month, the students at James Simons Montessori School in Charleston, S.C., read books by Latino authors and researched the authors’ countries of origin.

Rosie Harold, who oversaw the project, says observers might be “taken aback by my library’s apparent disorder, the lack of desks, the constant movement of students, cardboard everywhere, the constant chatter and the energy level.”

“But,” Harold adds, “spend more than a cursory look, more than a quick investigation and you will find the future of ­education.” n Karen Gavigan is a professor of information science at the University of South Carolina.

Distributed by The Associated Press.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | 37

ONE LAST THING Fight for your culture

Michael Falvey Falvey Insurance Group CEO and president Michael Falvey started the business as Falvey Cargo Underwriting in 1995. The North Kingstown-based company has grown from a two-person operation to become one of the top five providers of cargo insurance in the United States.

SOCIALIZATION

is an integral part of the Falvey Insurance Group culture. However, when we were sent home to work remotely [for the first time in the company’s 25year history] in March 2020, there was a problem: like many others, we were no longer physically in the same space.

How could we maintain our tight-knit culture? Through internal survey data, we learned our employees feel more connected than ever, and we are one of Business Insurance’s “Best Places to Work” in insurance nationwide.

My advice to other businesses is to focus on culture over strategy:

n Fight for your culture. The world will always throw

unexpected curveballs that no strategy can address, but if you focus on keeping people motivated not only to work, but wanting to come to work, the rest will fall into place. n Communicate. Transparent and regular communication

will pay back in dividends. n Support the community. Give employees the license to

give back to the community they are a part of. “Doing good” transforms culture when employees lead the way. n Stay focused. Determine your goals and stick to them. If an initiative or project doesn’t support those goals, don’t do it. n Collaborate. Encourage an environment where people

work together as much as possible. In the end, we are stronger together. n PBN FILE PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

38 | NOVEMBER 12-25, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

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