Senator Jack Reed

Reed Highlights Educational Programs for Manufacturing at International Yacht Restoration School

Senator Reed helped highlight local educational programs for manufacturing at the opening ceremony for a new building at the International Yacht Restoration School of Technology & Trades (IYRS), which trains craftspeople and technicians to work in a wide variety of industries at campuses in Newport and Bristol.   The new 20,000 square foot building in Newport will allow the school to double its enrollment, and it will be home to new programs in digital manufacturing and the new location for several existing Composites Technology and Marine Systems programs formerly based at IYRS’s Bristol campus.   As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Reed secured half a million dollars in 2010 to help establish IYRS’s Composites Technology Program, which prepares students for positions in high-demand fields such as marine trades, manufacturing, and wind energy.  

Reed Joins Governor Raimondo and State Officials for Press Conference In Wake of Dallas Shooting

Stressing the need for action to prevent all types of violence, Senator Reed joined Governor Raimondo, local law enforcement officials, Rhode Island civil rights and social justice groups, and other members of the Rhode Island congressional delegation at a press conference in Providence in the wake of the shooting of five police officers in Dallas by a man intent on killing law enforcement officers.  The leaders also discussed the recent controversial police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota and asserted the need for stronger, more open relationships between law and enforcement and communities. 

Reed Discusses Legislative Initiatives with Members of Rhode Island’s Military Community

Senator Reed delivered remarks at a lunch meeting for the Southern New England chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), a non-profit organization that advocates for all facets of the military.  As the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Reed recently helped include a number of Rhode Island-focused priorities in the Senate-passed FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including $5 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program, $1.5 billion to fully support the Ohio-class Replacement Program, $136.3 million to accelerate undersea warfare applied research, and $20 million for the construction of a new headquarters facility for the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard.  

Reed & Whitehouse Hold IMLS Grant Workshop for RI Museums and Libraries

Senator Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and officials from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) held a grant workshop at Slater Mill in Pawtucket.  Librarians and museum staff across the state were given an opportunity to hear directly from IMLS about upcoming funding opportunities and receive technical assistance for successfully applying for federal grants.  Senator Reed authored the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010, which authorized nearly $300 million in federal assistance to museums and libraries nationwide, and is currently working on a reauthorization of the law to help public libraries and museums meet community needs.  As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Reed has helped secure nearly $7 million in federal funding and grants for Rhode Island libraries and museums since 2012. 

Reed Helps Launch Veterans Business Outreach Center

In an event in Middletown on Monday, Senator Reed helped launch the Rhode Island Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC).  Earlier this year, Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, helped secure $250,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Veterans Business Development to expand the VBOC program in Rhode Island.  Housed by the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE), Rhode Island’s VBOC will support veterans and transitioning service members by providing free one-on-one business counseling, training conferences, and business workshops.  Each year, the SBA helps more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans, and National Guard and Reserve service members, and military spouses start and grow their small businesses.? This year the SBA selected Rhode Island and five other states for new VBOCs, bringing the nationwide total of these programs to 19 sites.

Reed Announces $2.2 Million in Federal Funding for AmeriCorps Members in RI

U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced that Serve Rhode Island and five local service-oriented organizations will receive $2,195,439 in federal AmeriCorps funding. 

Rhode Island organizations that won competitive AmeriCorps grants this year include City Year Providence, The Learning Community, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Brown University, and the Providence Children’s Museum.

Last year, when Congressional Republicans threatened to cut federal funding for CNCS by more than 30 percent, Reed successfully rejected the cuts and passed a significant increase for AmeriCorps and other CNCS programs.

These new federal grants will support AmeriCorps members across Rhode Island as they provide services to youth and families in need and help disadvantaged students.  Additionally, AmeriCorps members who complete their 1,700 hours of service may earn a $5,750 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be used for continuing education and vocational needs or to pay back student loans.