Legislative Updates

2026 Policy Platform

Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce

Introduction

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce represents businesses across Newport County and works to strengthen our regional economy by advocating for pro-business policies, offering direct technical support to entrepreneurs, and providing critical data and insights on local economic trends. Through initiatives such as the Annual Business Walk, Business Pulse Survey, and coordination of regional economic development programming, we serve as a strong voice for the business community at the municipal and state level.

As Rhode Island continues to navigate a challenging fiscal climate with projected budget deficits, it is critical that the state adopt a strategic, growth-oriented approach. Any new revenue measures must be balanced against their impact on small businesses—the backbone of our economy. Our focus is on creating conditions where businesses can expand, invest, and hire, while also ensuring that infrastructure, workforce, and innovation systems keep pace with future demands.

The Chamber’s 2026 policy priorities reflect the need for fiscal responsibility, economic resilience, and long-term competitiveness for Rhode Island.

Economic Development & Entrepreneurship

• Advocate for a balanced FY2027 state budget with a focus on efficiency, innovation, and investment in growth sectors.
• Support targeted tax incentives for existing Rhode Island businesses to expand operations, innovate, and hire locally.
• Strengthen support for public-private partnerships that expand job opportunities, modernize infrastructure, and stimulate regional economic growth.
• Expand access to capital for entrepreneurs and small businesses, including exploring regional revolving loan funds.
• Modernize tax policies to increase regional competitiveness, including reforms to the estate tax and ongoing support of the historic and film tax credits.
• Advance policies to support the Blue Economy, defense-related industries, hospitality, and emerging tech.
• Support, lead and fund attraction and soft landing programs by intermediaries for companies and divisions to establish a presence in Rhode Island.

Small Business Growth

Retirement Savings Incentives

• Create a state tax incentive for businesses to establish a 401(k) plan for their employees during the first three years, modeled after federal SECURE Act provisions.
• This will:
  • Help small businesses overcome startup and administrative costs.
  • Allow use of Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) to reduce overhead and fiduciary risks.
  • Expand retirement savings access, helping employees build generational wealth while strengthening retention.

Pooled Health Insurance Product

• Amend RIGL §27-50-5 to exempt Chamber members from small group rating restrictions, enabling the Chamber to offer a pooled health insurance option.
• This will:
  • Allow negotiation of better rates and plan options for member businesses.
  • Reduce the 10–15% annual premium increases currently pricing out small employers.
  • Help small businesses remain competitive with larger employers by offering quality health coverage.

Additional Supports

• Reduce regulatory and fee burdens on small businesses by continuing to streamline statewide and municipal processes.
• Advocate for stable and predictable tax and fee structures that do not overburden small business owners.
• Support expanded state matching funds for SBA, SBDC, and CWE programs to ensure entrepreneurs have access to critical technical and financial resources.
• Strengthen outreach to minority- and women-owned businesses by supporting capacity building and access-to-capital programs.
• Support Supply RI and Innovation Voucher Programs as tools for connecting small businesses to larger industry opportunities.
• Advocate for energy diversification and cost reductions to keep Rhode Island competitive in the region.
• Ensure environmental and resiliency policies consider business impacts while safeguarding coastal and island communities.

Workforce Development, Education & Talent Pipeline

• Expand Real Jobs RI to fund a Newport County program dedicated to leadership, management, and entrepreneurship training.
• Continue operating the Chamber’s Job Bank and advocate for broader statewide talent recruitment initiatives.
• Expand investment in training and retraining programs for key industry sectors, particularly Blue Economy and defense-related industries.
• Support education modernization, including facility upgrades and alignment of curricula with the future of work.
• Back programs like Real Jobs RI, Wavemaker, and RI Promise to maintain a skilled and competitive workforce.
• Advocate for policies that expand child care access and address the “cliff effect” that limits workforce participation, especially for women.
• Support programs that strengthen the healthcare, community care, and child care workforces, which are vital for economic resilience.

Infrastructure & Regional Investment

• Champion infrastructure projects that improve housing, transportation, broadband, utilities, and education facilities, critical to long-term growth.
• Support efforts to leverage federal investments in broadband and clean energy to benefit the Greater Newport region.
• Advocate for infrastructure investments that enhance the strategic value of Naval Station Newport and support defense-related economic activity.
• Prioritize housing policies that expand affordable and workforce housing options, critical for attracting and retaining talent.

Ongoing Engagement

In 2026, the Chamber will continue to:

• Convene quarterly public policy forums with statewide leaders in partnership with the Pell Center.
• Coordinate the Regional Economic Development Division and support initiatives identified in the 10-Year Strategic Plan for Economic Development.
• Maintain close engagement with state and municipal officials to ensure the voice of the business community is represented at every level of policymaking.
• Continue to build the local ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.