|
Publisher Carol Patton with Mayor Vincent A Cianci, Jr., at the Fourth Annual Providence Night Reception held at the Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills during Locations Expo 2000. The Mayor and the Providence Film Commission go all out to encourage film and television production executives to consider Providence locations. |
When you want to know something or anything about the fair city of Providence, RI, all you have to do is type in www.providenceri.com and you'll find something or anything you want to know. You'll probably also find other things worth knowing, noting, or just plain browsing. You can read or get a greeting from the Mayor via Real Audio or Wav Format. The user friendly site seems an extension of the city's user friendly Mayor, Mayor Vincent A. (Buddy) Cianci, Jr. You can see the pride and energy he has for his city, his citizens, and the projects and efforts he has spearheaded.
Two years ago this month, Mayor Cianci was the first politician to grace the cover of Imagine NewsMagazine. At that time, he was selected because the Imagine staff, surveying all of New England, found this elected official to be the one who possessed the vision our industry needed to become an important part of the economic community in the region. It was apparent he understood that the efforts he made and would continue to make, would bring capital infusion, artistic expression and opportunity for the talented individuals living in his city. Which, in turn, would bring more talented individuals who would come to live and work.
Landmark legislation he drafted provided the incentive artists wanted. He rightly sees the industry as an important jobs program, as well as being a most efficient, attention grabbing, device when it comes to interesting folks to visit your city and spending some money there. He has never rested on his laurels and continues to surround himself with the individuals who share his vision. Two years ago Cianci said he wanted his city to be like a little Hong Kong.
Cianci spearheaded relocating I-95, built Providence Place, and created an esplanade along the river. He stabilized taxes, created a no tax zone for high tech industries and supported and passed state investment tax legislation that allows Rhode Islanders a 25% tax deduction for when they investment in a qualified independent film, one that meets certain criteria. The entire country has been watching this effort for a two-year period. The legislation failed the first time out, but has now passed without the signature of the Governor of the State. This film bill will attact more films to Rhode Island by providing the financial capital needed to produce these films. More films mean more jobs.
The Mayor scored a homerun when he secured his city as the location and namesake of the NBC TV primetime hit drama "Providence," now entering its third year of production. How magical is it not to have "Vice" or "Hope" attached to the name of your city in the title? Just ask other Mayors and Governors around the country; many (green with envy) have traveled to Providence to see firsthand how Mayor Cianci drives his agenda.
The city's newly renamed Renaissance City Film Festival has a new Executive Director, Anka Theroux, who shares the Mayor's vision. At a press conference earlier this year, Cianci said, "This is truly a Renaissance Festival for a Renaissance City." And it's true; its program is dynamic and exciting, diverse and acclaimed, friendly, exhilarating and promising.
Providence has become a destination city, no doubt. The Mayor's agenda continues to go forward. But, what about politics, we ask? Imagine still likes the Mayor's answer from two years ago, "Politics is a wonderful business. It's like flying an airplane. If you don't like it, you better get out, because if you fall asleep, you're gonna die." Nobody sleeps in Providence...it's A WAKE IN PROVIDENCE all the time.