Polaris MEP

06/03/2026

The Rhode Island Commerce board of directors has awarded $800,000 to 13 organizations through its Innovation Network Matching Grant Program. The program provides grants to organizations that support small businesses in a variety of industries.

Congratulations to our partners on their new program funding: Hope & Main, RIBBA, and Skills for Rhode Island's Future

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Commerce Corp. board of directors has awarded $800,000 to 13 organizations through its Innovation Network Matching Grant Program. The program provides grants to organizations that support small businesses in industries such as food and agriculture, technology, artificial inte...

05/29/2026

Join Polaris MEP and regional partners for the Southern RI Workforce Partnership Meeting at Senesco Marine, LLC next week, on June 3rd.

This collaborative discussion will explore workforce trends, hiring challenges, available resources, and opportunities shaping the future of manufacturing in Southern Rhode Island. Attendees will also get an inside look at the 2026 New Hire Outlook and participate in an open forum focused on practical solutions and regional collaboration.

If workforce development is impacting your business, this is a conversation worth being part of.

Register here: https://ow.ly/p9bz50Z5Czp

05/29/2026

Congrats to our apprenticeship partner, Building Futures - Apprenticeship RI, on their Apprenticeships for America Innovator Award!

We are so honored to receive Apprenticeships for America's Innovator Award - a meaningful reflection of the work Building Futures, our partners, and our graduates are doing to expand high-quality Registered Apprenticeship opportunities and strengthen workforce pathways across the country. Thank you....

05/28/2026

Congratulations to Cooley Group on an incredible 100 years in business and innovation!

It was an honor to celebrate this milestone alongside Congressman Gabe Amo, Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and Melissa Travis of RIMA. We’re proud that our Center Director, Matt Watson, was there to help ring in Cooley Group’s centennial celebration and recognize a century of impact in Rhode Island manufacturing.

05/28/2026

Last Call to apply for Polaris Tech Bridge's 2026 Demonstrations!!

One more day! Apply by 11:59 PM on May 28 ⏱️to be considered for the Collaborative Integration Opportunity, a mission-driven scenario where , , , and defensive systems work together to identify threats, share data, and execute port security and cross awareness demonstration.

🔗 https://polaristechbridge.org/bluetide/2026-collaborative-integration-opportunity/

In Partnership with: Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport and U.S. Navy

BlueTIDE is different: https://youtube.com/shorts/17GGq7JJ5zk?si=9lVQ8qqDGQ3f3p8N

2026 Flagship Sponsor: Anduril Industries


Naval Sea Systems Command
Office of Naval Research
U.S. Department of War
Defense Innovation Unit - DIU
The Blue Venture Forum, MassRobotics, Sea Air Space

BlueTIDE is an annual, high-impact technology demonstration event hosted by Polaris Tech Bridge (formerly 401 Tech Bridge). Held in Newport, Rhode Island, Bl...

05/28/2026

We love our clients and are so proud when they are recognized for their achievements. Congratulations to Hideaway Solutions on their recent U.S. Small Business Administration Manufacturing Excellence Award.

It was our pleasure to support you. Thanks for the shout out in your speech 😊

05/26/2026

Manufacturers collectively lose millions of dollars paying safety fines every year:

- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): over 60 violations in Rhode Island during the last 5 years with over $200K in fines
- Machine Guarding: over 60 violations with over $450K in fines
- Hazard Communications: over 40 violations with over $100K in fines
- Respiratory Protection: 40 violations with over $150K in fines
- Injury & Incident Reporting: over 20 violations with over $30K in fines
- Emergency Action Plans: 10 violations with over $30K in fines

Reach out to Polaris MEP today and schedule your no risk discovery meeting and know that your profits and employees are in safe hands.

Contact us today:

Our safety programs are designed for small-to-medium manufacturers in Rhode Island and focus on the most common types of incidents and OSHA violations.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

In partnership with Local Return, ENDrepreneur, and Nterprisers - Polaris MEP is proud to launch Local Legacies — a new pilot program designed to help small business owners begin planning for the future of the businesses they’ve worked hard to build.

Participants will complete two short confidential self-assessments and receive:
• A personalized Legacy Map
• An Ntry™ business value assessment
• Insight into succession and exit pathways
• Guidance on how to interpret and apply the results

The pilot includes:
✔ Two online assessments (7–10 minutes each) completed before June 1
✔ One in-person review session on the afternoon of June 9
✔ No cost to participate
✔ Fully confidential participation

This initial cohort is limited to just six companies as part of the pilot phase, though additional cohorts may follow.

If you’re a business owner beginning to think about succession, retirement, long-term value, or what happens next for your company — we encourage you to express interest by May 27.

Interested? Let us know here: https://ow.ly/biWZ50Z2QTN

05/21/2026

Manufacturers from across North Kingstown gathered on May 13, 2026, for a dynamic and solutions-focused conversation at the North Kingstown’s Manufacturers’ Forum, hosted by Polaris MEP in partnership with the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce . Held at R&D Technologies, the event brought together industry leaders, public officials, and workforce development experts to tackle the real challenges facing local manufacturing—and to identify opportunities for collective progress.

Learn More:

Manufacturers from across North Kingstown gathered recently for a dynamic and solutions-focused conversation at the North Kingstown’s Manufacturers’ Forum, hosted by Polaris MEP in partnership with the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce.