R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64.25-2: Statement of intent.

The general assembly hereby finds and declares that small businesses are the economic backbone of the state and the source of a majority of new jobs. The general assembly further finds that too many such businesses often have difficulty obtaining capital from traditional banking organizations to start up, improve or expand operations. Providing greater access to capital would enable the formation and expansion of small businesses across the state and provide job opportunities to the state’s citizens. The purpose of this act is to assist small businesses that encounter difficulty in obtaining adequate credit or adequate terms for such credit. Among the small businesses that this act aims to assist are minority business enterprises and women-owned business enterprises.