On May 19, 2023, Polaris MEP and the Jane Addams Resource Corporation hosted a grand opening event to launch the transformational manufacturing training hub, JARC Rhode Island.
More than 150 industry leaders, ecosystem partners and political stakeholders joined in the ribbon cutting event. The grand opening was covered by local media including WLNE-6, WPRO News, and Providence Business News.
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JARC Rhode Island ribbon cutting celebration
The JARC Rhode Island grand opening celebration on May 19, 2023, was attended by more than 150.
Attendees – JARC Rhode Island Grand Opening
Attendees celebrating the grand opening of JARC RI included Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, and Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner.
Senator Jack Reed on the free JARC training
Senator Jack Reed: “JARC Rhode Island is going to provide innovative programs that provide free machinist, welding and other training for in demand manufacturing skills. And let me pause and emphasize free. Trainees will develop these skills without spending a dime and I call that a very very good deal for these young people, for our manufacturers, for our economy and for the state of Rhode Island.”
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse speaks to the proven JARC model
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: “JARC has a great reputation. Polaris MEP and 401 Tech Bridge have a great record. And we will do everything we can to make sure you have all the support you need to succeed.”
Regan Brewer on the Mission of JARC Rhode Island
Regan Brewer Johnson, President of JARC: “So who are we and why are we here? Our mission at JARC RI is very simple. We work to ensure that people who want to work do not live in poverty. And so we believe that the advanced manufacturing sector is a mechanism that can transform people’s lives and really transition people from poverty into the middle class.”
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley on manufacturing opportunities
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley: “We have long-standing manufacturers in Providence and in greater Rhode Island that have survived for some up days and some down days. And we have incredible new opportunities now particularly in advanced manufacturing. So the ability to train our people to take those good jobs is so important.”
Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner speaks to importance of RI Manufacturing
Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner: “JARC RI graduates will leave here prepared to enter this industry, earn a good living and keep the economy running, and that really matters. Plants are struggling to keep up with record high demand so additional qualified employees will provide local manufacturers with the opportunity for significant growth and expansion. And with JARC RI, everybody wins.”
Adonis Summerville shared the trainee perspective
Adonis Summerville shared his experiences going from homelessness to prosperity & success after discovering the JARC (Jane Addams Resource Corporation) program. “I tell people all the time that coming to a program like this is — you’re not coming to look for a job, you’re coming here to change your life.”
Attendees – JARC Rhode Island Grand Opening
Regan Brewer: “When I look around this room it’s really humbling to see so many partners and it really warms my heart to see all of you today celebrating with us.”
Attendees – JARC Rhode Island Grand Opening
The more than 150 attendees included people from across the manufacturing ecosystem in Rhode Island.
Saint Gobain’s Craig Danko Provides the employer perspective
Craig Danko, VP at Saint Gobain: “I’ve been in manufacturing in one role or another for about 30 years, and it’s changed dramatically over 30 years. And we have to continue to change with it. And it’s only with the programs like these that Polaris MEP and JARC that we can get there and create these long term careers. “
Matt Weldon speaks to RI’s Labor priorities & promise
Matt Weldon, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, spoke to the need for advanced manufacturing skills training.
Matt Watson, JARC RI Grand Opening 5/19/23
Matt Watson, Polaris MEP Center Director, thanked funding partners and the many stakeholders who played a part in bringing JARC to Rhode Island.
Touring the JARC RI manufacturing training classrooms
Lindsey Brickle, Director of Workforce & Community Partnerships for Polaris MEP and the URI Research Foundation, led tours of the training labs. She was joined by instructor Annie Unger and Allori Fernandes, JARC RI Site Director.
The future of Rhode Island manufacturing
Senator Jack Reed, JARC RI trainee Raul Cusillos, and Rhode Island Manufacturers Association Board of Directors member Mark Cousineau.
Autodesk Foundation team
The Autodesk Foundation is a major sponsor of JARC Rhode Island. The team got a private tour of the transformational manufacturing training center before the grand opening.
Attendees – JARC Rhode Island Grand Opening
Guests at the May 19 grand opening of JARC RI came from across the manufacturing ecosystem.
A citation welcoming JARC to Providence, RI
Providence, RI Mayor Brett Smiley presents a citation to Jane Addams Resource Corporation president Regan Brewer in honor of the grand opening of the JARC RI manufacturing training hub.
All in the (URI Research Foundation) family
Christian Cowan, Executive Director of the URI Research Foundation, and Linda Larson, Center Director of 401 Tech Bridge, explained how 401 Tech Bridge’s lab space within the JARC RI center will benefit trainees and employers.
Diversity in Manufacturing is part of the mission
To help those historically kept out of manufacturing’s well-paying jobs, JARC RI embeds support services into the job training program and wrap-around programs that remove barriers.
Autodesk Foundation at the JARC RI Grand Opening
Funding partner Autodesk Foundation sent a team to the JARC Rhode Island grand opening on May 19, 2023.
CNC Machining skills are in high demand
Adonis Summerville, senior CNC instructor for JARC, explained the skills needed to run highly advanced machines such as those at the new JARC Rhode Island location.
Cutting the Ribbon!
VIPs including JARC’s Adonis Summerville, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Mayor Brett Smiley and Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner join in cutting the ribbon at the Grand Opening of JARC Rhode Island on May 19, 2023.
Photography: Steve Mason, Photographer
Videography: Alex Watrous, Watrous Bros Video Production, and Tom Palleschi
Thank You!
Thank you to all of the speakers who honored us with their insights and support at the May 19, 2023 Grand Opening of JARC Rhode Island:
- Senator Jack Reed
- Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
- Mayor Brett Smiley
- Secretary Liz Tanner
- Adonis Summerville, Jane Addams Resource Corporation
- Craig Danko, Saint Gobain High Performance Solutions
- DLT Director Matt Weldon
We are grateful to supporters and funding partners, including:
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Thank you also to Iron Mountain Forge and Furniture for helping to create the donor wall and to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The VETS) for their help with this event.