AGP Executive Report

AI & Data Infrastructure: FountainHead Rhode Island announced the next AI and Data Infrastructure Summit, bringing technology leaders, investors and policymakers together to discuss AI, robotics and data investment in the state. Innovation Funding: Rhode Island Commerce is accepting applications for Innovation Voucher grants, while the state’s Life Science Hub has launched a brain-health collaboratory. Advanced Manufacturing: REGENT opened its first Seaglider manufacturing facility in Rhode Island, a new foothold for the state in emerging marine transportation technology. Research Infrastructure: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to Newport in January; Sen. Jack Reed recently toured the $147 million complex.

Marine Discovery: Divers have found wreckage believed to be the F/V Mistress, which sank off Block Island in 2019, using side-scan sonar and underwater imaging. The site lies about 50 feet from a wind turbine. Innovation Funding: Rhode Island Commerce is accepting applications for grants of up to $75,000 to help local businesses fund research and development; the deadline is Nov. 3. Defense Tech Jobs: NUWC Division Newport will recruit for engineering, data science, cybersecurity and other roles at a Nov. 7 hiring event, with STEM internships also available. Offshore Wind: The Trump administration is again seeking to undo federal approval for Revolution Wind, raising uncertainty for a major New England power project already delivering electricity. Life Sciences: Rhode Island’s Life Science Hub has launched a brain-health collaboratory, while REGENT has opened the state’s first Seaglider manufacturing facility. Research and Defense: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to Newport in January, bringing a $147 million complex to Naval Station Newport.

R&D Funding: Rhode Island Commerce is accepting Innovation Voucher applications through Nov. 3, offering local businesses up to $75,000 for research and development with universities, hospitals and other research partners. Naval Tech Careers: NUWC Division Newport will recruit engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists and other candidates at a Nov. 7 event, including for STEM internships. Clean Energy: The Trump administration is again seeking to reopen approval of the nearly completed, 704-megawatt Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island, contracted to supply power to the state and Connecticut. Local Engineering: Two new modular steel bridges have opened on the East Bay Bike Path in Barrington and Warren, restoring links closed since 2019. RI Innovation: The state’s Life Science Hub has launched a brain-health collaboratory, while REGENT has opened its first seaglider manufacturing facility in Rhode Island. Research & Defense: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to Newport in January, and URI researcher Philip Lubin will discuss his “DEEP-IN” space concept at a university lecture.

Digital Safety: A new Rhode Island commission will examine how technology in schools, social media and AI tools affect children’s education and mental health. Brain Research: The Rhode Island Life Science Hub and Cognito Therapeutics launched a statewide collaboratory to advance research and treatment for Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions. URI Science: A graduate researcher is studying how blue-crab fishing may alter mussels’ fear responses—and ripple through salt-marsh ecosystems. Defense Technology: Raytheon won a Navy research contract to develop radar-processing software at its Portsmouth site, aiming to improve detection and classification; work runs through 2031. Clean Energy: The Trump administration is again asking a court to revisit Revolution Wind’s approval, despite the Rhode Island–Connecticut project being built and nearing commissioning. Local Manufacturing: REGENT opened Rhode Island’s first seaglider manufacturing facility, a milestone for the state’s emerging marine-technology sector.

Defense Technology: Raytheon will develop radar-processing software at its Portsmouth site to help Navy systems detect and classify harder-to-find targets. The research contract runs through 2031; any fleet upgrade would follow testing. Biomanufacturing: Texas-based ConeCraft acquired Coventry’s G&G Technologies, adding its chromatography and filtration systems to ConeCraft’s bioprocessing portfolio. Maritime Innovation: REGENT has opened a 255,000-square-foot Seaglider factory at Quonset Business Park, its global production hub for passenger vessels and autonomous drones. The company expects first passenger-vessel deliveries as early as late 2027. Research Infrastructure: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to Newport in January, joining a $147 million complex.

Maritime Technology: REGENT has opened a 255,000-square-foot Seaglider factory at Quonset Business Park, moving from prototypes to production. The facility is designed to eventually build up to 75 passenger vessels and 300 autonomous drones a year, with first passenger deliveries expected in late 2027. Biotech Manufacturing: Texas-based ConeCraft acquired Coventry’s G&G Technologies, adding Rhode Island engineering expertise in bioprocessing equipment, filtration and chromatography for drug manufacturing. Research & Computing: URI physics professors won NSF awards to study black holes, while an URI astrophysics student earned a national computing fellowship. Ocean Science: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to Newport in January, joining a new $147 million complex at Naval Station Newport.

Maritime Technology: REGENT opened its 255,000-square-foot Seaglider factory at Quonset Business Park, moving from prototypes toward production of passenger vessels and autonomous drones. The company says the facility could eventually build 75 passenger vessels and 300 drones a year. Coastal Research: URI researchers launched a public website bringing together more than six decades of surveys from eight Rhode Island beaches, helping show how storms and long-term shoreline change reshape the coast. Science at URI: Two physics professors won NSF awards to study black holes, while an astrophysics student earned a computing fellowship. Newport’s Research Hub: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to Newport in January, where a new $147 million complex will support its work. Tech Workforce: CCRI launched HVAC/R and heat-pump workforce training as Rhode Island colleges prepare students for in-demand jobs.

Coastal Science: URI researchers have put more than six decades of measurements from eight Rhode Island beaches online, giving residents, researchers and coastal managers a new way to track shoreline change and storm impacts. Naval Technology: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to Newport in January, joining a $147 million complex. Separately, Rhode Island-based REGENT marked the opening of its seaglider manufacturing facility with a flight demonstration. Space Research: Two URI physics professors won NSF awards to study black holes, while a URI astrophysics student earned a competitive computing fellowship.

DNA Forensics: New DNA testing helped investigators link a suspect to a 1985 Newport murder, using DNA recovered from a discarded water bottle. Coastal Research: URI researchers launched a public website drawing on beach surveys dating to 1962, giving researchers, managers and residents a way to track shoreline change and storm impacts across eight Rhode Island beaches. Ocean and Defense Tech: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to a $147 million Newport complex in January. Rhode Island-based REGENT also marked the opening of its seaglider manufacturing facility with a flight demonstration. URI Research: A URI researcher received $1.1 million to study mathematical literacy, while two physics professors secured NSF awards for research into black holes.

Coastal Science: URI has made more than six decades of surveys from eight southern Rhode Island beaches available online, helping researchers and the public track shoreline change and storm impacts. Defense & Mobility Technology: REGENT opened a seaglider manufacturing facility with a flight demonstration, and NOAA plans to move its Atlantic fleet command to Newport in January. NUWC Newport is also seeking earlier collaboration with companies to speed new undersea technologies to the fleet. University Research: URI researcher received $1.1 million for a mathematical literacy study, while two physics professors won NSF awards to investigate black holes. Life Sciences: Rhode Island’s sector is drawing attention as advocates weigh how to build on the state’s $45 million investment in its Life Science Hub and secure a stronger runway for growth.

Coastal Research: URI researchers have put more than six decades of shoreline surveys online, letting the public explore how storms and long-term erosion have changed eight Rhode Island beaches. Telecom: Verizon is pressing to retire copper landlines in Rhode Island and eight other states, despite concerns that cellular replacements may leave some communities with weaker service. Invasive Species: URI researchers say removing spotted lanternfly egg masses this fall is the best way to curb next year’s population; the university is one of seven USDA-approved sites studying biological controls. Defense Technology: Rhode Island firms see an opening as NUWC Newport seeks to bring more companies into undersea technology development earlier. Life Sciences: Rhode Island’s $45 million Life Science Hub is central to efforts to grow a sector that employs about 6,000 people, with advocates aiming to double that workforce. Ocean Science: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to Newport in January, anchoring a new $147 million complex at Naval Station Newport.

Smart Home Tech: Amica is offering Rhode Island policyholders a free Flume water monitor and three years of leak detection, aiming to catch costly damage early. Invasive Species Research: URI’s Biocontrol Lab is advising residents on how to destroy spotted lanternfly egg masses; it is one of seven USDA-approved sites studying ways to control the pest. Defense Innovation: Rhode Island firms see an opening as the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport seeks to bring companies into technology development earlier. Life Sciences: The state’s $45 million Life Science Hub is backing a sector with about 6,000 local workers and potential to double over the next decade. Workforce Training: CCRI is launching HVAC/R and heat-pump training to prepare students for in-demand technical jobs. Research Funding: A URI researcher received $1.1 million for a study of mathematical literacy.

Home-Tech: Amica is offering Rhode Island policyholders a free Flume water-leak monitor and three years of service, aiming to catch costly leaks early. STEM Education: RIDE reports math proficiency rose to 31.8% and science to 31.1% in 2026, though both remain near one-third of students. Ocean Science: A Roger Williams University lab is investigating the decline in Narragansett Bay quahogs, including possible roles for disease, pollution and nitrogen. Defense Technology: REGENT opened its 255,000-square-foot Quonset seaglider factory, with first vessels targeted for 2027 and production supporting commercial orders and Marine Corps contracts. Blue Economy: NOAA’s $147 million Atlantic operations center at Naval Station Newport is nearing completion and is expected to be fully operational by January. Life Sciences: Rhode Island’s Question 3 proposes $100 million for economic development, including $45 million for life sciences, ocean technology and defense manufacturing.

Ocean Science: NOAA’s Atlantic fleet command is set to move to Naval Station Newport by January 2027. The nearly finished $147 million complex will support research ships and bring dozens of shoreside jobs to Rhode Island. Marine Manufacturing: REGENT opened its 255,000-square-foot Seaglider factory at Quonset Business Park, pairing a public flight demonstration with the start of manufacturing. Customer deliveries are expected in late 2027. Health Technology: A randomized study of 118 adults found Clarity Science’s drug-free haptic patch reduced pain and improved range of motion over 14 days; results were presented at a pain conference. AI in Business: Rhode Island companies are adopting AI, but speakers at Providence Business News’ summit said many still lack clear measures of its impact on profits. University Research: URI mathematician Irma Stevens received a five-year, $1.1 million NSF grant to study how students understand and use variables. Clinical Research: South County Health joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, gaining access to research tools and expert advice.

Advanced Manufacturing: Rhode Island’s REGENT opened its 255,000-square-foot Quonset Seaglider factory and gave the public its first live look at the electric craft in flight. The company plans to deliver its first vessels in late 2027. University Research: URI mathematician Irma Stevens won a five-year, $1.1 million NSF grant to study how students understand and use mathematical variables. Two URI physics professors also received NSF awards for research into black holes. Tech Workforce: CCRI launched HVAC and heat-pump workforce training as demand grows for skilled workers in building technology. Life Sciences: Rhode Island has more than 100 life-science companies and over 6,000 industry workers, while the state’s Life Science Hub has opened shared lab space to help startups grow. AI and Banking: Providence-based Citizens is returning to unsecured personal loans through a partnership with Pagaya, using AI-supported lending as it expands its consumer offerings.

URI Research: Assistant professor Irma Stevens won a five-year, $1.1 million NSF grant to study how students understand and use mathematical variables. Two URI physics professors also received NSF awards to investigate black holes, while an astrophysics student earned a competitive computing fellowship. Life Sciences: Rhode Island has more than 100 life-sciences companies and 6,000 industry workers, but advocates say continued investment is needed to help the sector grow. Ocean Technology: North Kingstown-based REGENT is advancing its electric seaglider, with new Marine Corps testing funds and a factory opening adding momentum to the company’s plans. Clean Energy Workforce: CCRI launched training in HVAC, refrigeration and heat pumps as demand grows for skilled workers. Renewables: Audubon broke ground on a Bristol solar carport expected to generate more than 360,000 kilowatt-hours a year and help fund its conservation work.