PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Near session's end on Saturday, designated speakers stood to share ideas generated by their small groups that they hope will get done.
Barbara L. Bennett, senior vice president of law and policy for Johnson & Wales University, said it's important to develop a structure for how to follow through with the best of the ideas. Her table saw value in engaging the public sector, perhaps in a similar format, and in preparing a legislative agenda to enact some of the ideas.
After the session ended, Bennett approached another participant who had shared an idea similar to one that resonated with Bennett.
Lisa Churchville, whose LGC Advisers provides consulting services, had spoken about helping the state figure out how to fast-track the process for companies that need permits and licenses before they can build something in Rhode Island.
"We are doing it in October," Bennett told Churchville.
Johnson & Wales is working with the City of Providence to hold a faculty retreat that month to map out the steps companies must take to get the appropriate permits, Bennett said. The university has already mapped out various internal processes in order to streamline how the university gets things done, Bennett said.
This time, they'll share their findings with the city so it can improve, she said.
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