Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Obama, at the Foundation yesterday

"We came to listen," said Senior Advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett, who convened a small group of the state's top business leaders at The Rhode Foundation yesterday for a dialogue on how the administration can best support business growth in the state. "Anyone who heard the President's State of the Union address knows we are determined to win the future. As he said, we have to out-innovate, out-build, and out-educate our competitors if we want America to stay in first place."

 

Ms. Jarrett's visit, part of a White House Business Council listening tour, was co-hosted by the Foundation and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce at the request of the Council. More than 100 such roundtables are being held throughout the country this year.

"We want to know what the administration should be doing more of," said Ms. Jarrett, adding, "and what we should be doing less of." Agreeing with the group that jobs creation at both large and small businesses is critical to the state's, and the country's future, Ms. Jarrett also noted, "We are eager to figure out how to innovate. We want to create an environment where business can invest and grow. If you win, we win."