Congressman Amo Kicks Off Second Blue Economy Tour at REGENT Craft, Highlighting Rhode Island Jobs, Innovation, and the Future of the Ocean State

Providence, RI - TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI), Ranking Member of the House Science Committee Subcommittee on the Environment, kicks off his Second Blue Economy Tour with a visit to REGENT Craft, the developer of a first-in-class electric Seaglider based in Rhode Island, as they cut the ribbon on a new factory.

As Rhode Islanders face high costs and a changing economy, the Blue Economy offers an opportunity to create good-paying jobs, strengthen local businesses, and build the industries of the future right here in the Ocean State. Over the next few weeks, Congressman Amo will travel across Rhode Island's First Congressional District to meet with the workers, small businesses, researchers, educators, and nonprofits powering the Ocean State's Blue Economy.

"Our Blue Economy is about more than what happens on the water. It's about good jobs, new technology, and lowering costs by building more of what we need right here in Rhode Island," said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). "I'm excited to get out across Rhode Island, to listen to the people doing this work every day, and bring their ideas back to Washington. If we want Rhode Island to lead the next generation of ocean industries, we need to make sure our workers have the skills, our researchers have the resources, and our small businesses have a fair shot to grow."

Rhode Island's Blue Economy directly employs 36,000 Rhode Islanders and contributes over $5 billion to the state's gross domestic product every year. The tour will highlight the people and industries behind those numbers, from marine trades and aquaculture to ocean research, advanced manufacturing, and maritime technology.

Congressman Amo will tour facilities, convene discussions, and meet with the workers, small businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofits at the heart of Rhode Island's Blue Economy.

Background

Nationwide, the Blue Economy supports 2.4 million jobs and contributes $397 billion to the nation's gross domestic product.

In 2024, Congressman Amo toured Rhode Island's First Congressional District to highlight the Ocean State's leadership in the Blue Economy.

As part of the 2024 tour, Congressman Amo convened aroundtable conversation at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)'s Lincoln campus,participated in a training module at CCRI's Global Wind Organization Basic Safety Training program, led a conversation with academic leaders from across Rhode Island's campuses, visited the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, toured VATN Systems in Portsmouth, and visited Flux Marine in Bristol. He concluded the tour speaking at 401 Tech Bridge's NavalX Annual Program Management Review.

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