Providence committee amends and passes resolution urging support to keep Hasbro headquarters without open-ended incentive pledge

The Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity and Education debated a resolution on March 11 encouraging state and local action to keep Hasbro’s headquarters in the region and voted to adopt the resolution as amended.

Committee members expressed broad support for keeping Hasbro but raised concern about language that could be interpreted as committing the city to unspecified levels of incentives or financial support. A committee member described concern that the original language—"to provide the necessary support and incentives to make this possible"—could be read as a promise of substantial resources without limits.

A motion to strike the phrase "to provide the necessary support and incentives to make this possible" after the word "stakeholders" was offered and seconded. The amendment was put to a voice vote and carried. The committee then voted to adopt the resolution as amended.

During discussion, members said the resolution signals the city’s interest in retaining Hasbro while attempting not to commit the city to an undefined financial pledge. One member noted that Boston was offering incentives in competing efforts, and cautioned the committee against appearing to write a "blank check." The committee solicited input from state-level contacts and agreed the line could be removed to avoid ambiguity.

The amendment and the final amended resolution passed by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

The committee chair closed the meeting after the votes and indicated the administration and staff will continue conversations as needed.