Education and health services make up a large part of the local economy, with LifeSpan anchoring a large medical community and employing over 14,000 people. Providence is known for its educated workforce and its talent pipeline. Brown, Johnson & Wales, URI, and RISD collectively graduate 18,000 students a year, with just over 5,100 in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields alone. Statewide, Rhode Island has 11 colleges and universities and is home to a number of large multinational companies, including Textron, GTech, Hasbro, and CVS, which are all headquartered in the state.
Providence is on the I-95 corridor and only 70 miles from Boston. TF Green Airport, located just 10 minutes’ drivetime from downtown Providence, provides access to international and domestic flights on a wide selection of airlines. Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail stop in Providence, both providing service to Route 128 and Boston’s Back Bay and South Station terminals, with approximate ride time at 70 minutes. Amtrak’s Acela provides service to New York, taking approximately three-and-a-half hours.
The Providence Metro area has a thriving arts community and great restaurants. It is home to minor league baseball (Pawtucket Red Sox) and minor league hockey (Providence Bruins). The Dunkin Donuts Center, Rhode Island Convention Center, and the Providence Performing Arts Center host a variety of sporting events, conventions, and concerts. Twin River Casino is in nearby Lincoln, and the beaches of Newport and Westerly draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.