FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2022
CONTACT INFO. :
Office of the Mayor
Patricia Resende
(401) 529-3207
City of East Providence focuses on small business support, hires two planners
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI –
The City of East Providence has taken steps to be more responsive to our small business community.
The City of East Providence has hired Dominic Leonardo as its Economic Development Specialist & ARPA Coordinator/Planner II and Victor Regino as its new Business Development & Economic Opportunity Coordinator/Planner I.
Both Leonardo and Regino, work under the direction of the Planning and Economic Development Department Director William Fazioli, and assist the local business community with support in its growth in the City of East Providence through partnerships with employers, educators, economic developers and other community-based organizations. The duo, together with other department staffers, will also guide small businesses through any American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and grant funding opportunities.
“With the growing number of small and medium-sized businesses in East Providence, it is imperative to have a dedicated team on staff who can advocate for and collaborate with the businesses in our city,” Mayor Roberto DaSilva said. “The city’s Economic Development Specialist and Economic Opportunity Coordinator will support our businesses at every stage of growth from startup to expansion and collaborate to provide businesses with the resources they need to succeed.”
Leonardo is tasked with municipal planning, housing and economic development as well as promoting retention and expansion of business and industry. Leonardo is no stranger to public service. He serves as vice chairman of the Economic Development Commission, a role he has had since 2017.
Prior to joining the City of East Providence in September 2021, Leonardo worked as a project manager with State Street Bank and Trust.
A native and current resident of East Providence, Leonardo earned a Master of Arts in Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy from Tufts and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Providence College.
When he’s not working with small businesses, you can find him working with East Providence youth basketball players, playing acoustic guitar with friends, reading, writing or working on his www.LanduseRI.com newsletter.
Regino, who joined the City of East Providence in January 2022, has also served in the public sector for a number of years. In his role, he will be tasked with responding to the needs of the local business community serving as a liaison between the city and local business sector. He served as the deputy director of city services for the City of Providence from 2020 to 2021 before taking the role of small business coordinator for the City.
Prior to joining the City of Providence, Regino worked in the banking sector as an analyst and relationship consultant.
A resident of East Providence, Regino was born in Providence to Dominican and Puerto Rican immigrants and understands the need for equity and access. He is bilingual in Spanish.
When he’s not advocating for the business community, Regino spends his free time volunteering for Hungry Fridays, a local nonprofit. He is a current member of the East Providence Affirmative Action Committee and former member of Millennial Rhode Island, Rhode Island Latino Political Action Committees.
