§ 42-64.15-5. Powers and duties. The collaborative shall support and work collectively with the Rhode Island manufacturing and creative community to promote the marketing and sustainability of Rhode Island products, including, but not limited to:

(1) Designate, in collaboration with the advisory council established in § 42-64.15-6, a "Made in Rhode Island" logo by a Rhode Island graphic designer as the official state emblem to identify products that are locally manufactured;

(2) Recommend eligibility requirements that will permit businesses the use of the "Made In Rhode Island" logo on their products and represent that a product is made in this state;

(3) Identify regulatory restrictions preventing and/or inhibiting marketing initiatives for locally manufactured products;

(4) Examine the practices from other states that have implemented a state sponsored "Made In" program; such review may include a regulatory oversight process to ensure authenticity and adherence to quality standards for participating entities, companies and businesses;

(5) Make recommendations for implementing a state sponsored "Made In Rhode Island" program;

(6) Identify and facilitate opportunities to increase consumer demand for locally produced manufactured goods or services;

(7) Identify and facilitate opportunities to establish agreements with local manufacturers for potential marketplace expansion of products;

(8) Review and identify existing studies, pilot programs, initiatives and incentives of this state and other states regarding locally produced marketing practices;

(9) Identify and recommend incentives to benefit and encourage the manufacturing and sale of locally manufactured products that qualify as "Made in Rhode Island";

(10) Provide educational opportunities for consumers regarding local manufacturing of products and initiatives to further promote the brand;

(11) Identify funding sources available to the manufacturing community to support marketing, branding and promotion of locally manufactured products;

(12) Respond to requests for information from the legislature and comment on proposed legislation as it relates to local manufacturing branding efforts; and

(13) Identify potential funding streams through state, federal, in-kind and private organizations to support future "Made in Rhode Island" manufacturing and marketing efforts and initiatives.

History of Section. (P.L. 2013, ch. 123, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 129, § 1.)