Establishing Rhode Island as a worldwide leader in the marine trades is RIMTA’s ultimate goal. To do that, we need to help each member company be successful—so once you join RIMTA, you have a strong ally in helping you achieve success for your business.
RIMTA advocates for a healthy business climate through its Legislative Committee and the lobbying firm it works with. The organization is also your partner in developing the workforce you need to fuel your business and a source of ways you can go green and strengthen your bottom line. And best of all: once you become a member, you will tap into a network of hundreds of marine-trades experts who share their knowledge at our member meetings.
We keep you updated about the latest advantages for members in our monthly e-newsletter. Read on to learn more about the benefits of RIMTA membership.
Advocating for a Healthy Business Climate
Join RIMTA and you immediately become part of a block of some 300 companies and a business cluster that tallies sales for its Ocean State businesses at $2.6 billion and $117.9 million in taxes and fees for Rhode Island state and local governments. So when RIMTA talks, legislators listen. RIMTA advocates for a healthy business climate through its Legislative Committee and the lobbying firm it works with. Although no sales tax on boats in Rhode Island is widely considered their signature legislative achievement, our committee is always on watch—keeping lawmakers educated about the marine industry and its impact on the state’s economy to keep favorable legislation in place, and staying abreast of new legislation that can impact the marine trades. Your RIMTA dues supports the activities of our Legislative Committee. RIMTA also has its own political action committee, which can only be funded by contributions from individuals. Click
here to learn more about the RIMTA PAC. Learn more
here about how you can take action.
By coordinating training programs, marketing marine careers and attracting talented workers, and helping member companies gain access to state funds for training, RIMTA is your partner in developing the workforce you need to fuel your business. Over the past several years, RIMTA members have had access to over $500,000 in training funds provided by the state of Rhode Island. The funds have been used for training in every aspect of the recreational boating industry–from incumbent worker training, OSHA, entry-level workers and summer youth programs. RIMTA coordinates its own training programs, which you can
read about here. The organization also works closely with industry to make sure training providers incorporate the skill areas we need in our technically evolving industry.