Raimondo Vists Isle Brewers Guild with Former ‘Gansett Employee

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Gina M. Raimondo yesterday toured the Isle Brewers Guild facility in Pawtucket with Joseph Ianaire, a 94-year-old Pawtucket resident who worked at the Narragansett Brewery for 34 years. Isle Brewers is now brewing Narragansett beer in Rhode Island for the first time since 1983.

Rhode Island’s craft beer industry supports nearly 1,500 jobs. Because of work spearheaded by the Governor, the General Assembly, the RI Commerce Corporation and the Department of Business Regulation, Rhode Island recently modernized its regulations to make it easier for breweries to do business. In her State of the State address, Raimondo proposed the Rhode Island Manufacturing Initiative, which aims to rebuild and reinvent the state’s manufacturing industry. The Manufacturing Initiative will help manufacturing companies, including breweries, invest in new equipment and employee-training opportunities.

Governor Raimondo talks with Joseph and Kristine Merz.

Governor Raimondo with Joe.

Governor Raimondo and BJ Mansuetti listen to Joe.

Joe tries a ‘Gansett with some employees.