Documents Related to Airport-Based "Stuffie" (Stuffed Clam) Tourism Campaign

Good afternoon –

I am confirming that we have received your Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act request.

Thank you.

Matt

Matthew Touchette
Director of Public Affairs
Executive Office of Commerce
Rhode Island Commerce
Department of Business Regulation
matthew.touchette@commerce.ri.gov<mailto:matthew.touchette@commerce.ri.gov>
M. 401-545-0626

Philip -

I am writing in response to your January 2, 2024, request for public records made to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation ("Corporation") pursuant to the Access to Public Records Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-1 et seq., "APRA"). In particular, you requested the following:

Any documents related to the selection and execution of the "#VisitRhodeIsland" marketing campaign featuring giant stuffed clams ("stuffies") at airports around the United States.
Specifically, I am seeking:
-The proposal for the campaign submitted to Commerce RI
-Other campaign proposals that were not selected
-Internal Commerce RI emails discussing the "stuffie" campaign and why it was chosen over others
-Documents -- including receipts and invoices -- that show how the campaign's reported $4.5 million budget was spent
-Any complaints or concerns related to the campaign that Commerce RI has received from the public
-Any other documents related to the section and/or execution of the "stuffie" tourism campaign

As you may be aware, APRA authorizes the Corporation to charge for the cost of searching and retrieving documents at a rate of up to $15.00 per hour with the first hour free, plus the reasonable actual cost for providing electronic records. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-4(b). Based on the quantity of potentially responsive documents that would need to be retrieved, reviewed, and redacted, which is estimated to total approximately 13,685 pages, it is estimated that the total length of time required to comply with your request is approximately 236 hours, of which approximately 8 hours will be devoted to document retrieval and approximately 228 hours will be committed to reviewing documents for redaction purposes. As APRA provides that the first hour is free, the estimated cost for search, retrieval, and review of documents would total $3,525.

Please remit payment to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, 315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101, Providence, RI 02908 c/o Accounting Department, in the amount of $3,525 by certified check or money order and reference your request and this correspondence. Upon receipt of the funds, the Corporation will commence the process necessary to respond to your request. If the actual cost is more than or less than the estimate provided, we will notify you of such difference and as appropriate, either return funds or request that the additional amount be paid to the Corporation.

Notwithstanding the estimated costs identified herein, you may elect to withdraw your request and submit a new, more refined request, and the Corporation will respond to such new request pursuant to the provisions of APRA. If you do not respond to this email within thirty days, the Corporation will deem your request closed.

In accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-8, you may wish to appeal this decision to the chief administrative officer for the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, 315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101, Providence, RI 02908. You may also file a complaint with the Department of Attorney General, 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903 or the Rhode Island Superior Court of the county where the records are maintained.

Thank you and have a great rest of your day.

Matthew Touchette
Director of Public Affairs
Executive Office of Commerce
Rhode Island Commerce
Department of Business Regulation
matthew.touchette@commerce.ri.gov<mailto:matthew.touchette@commerce.ri.gov>
M. 401-545-0626