R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-163-2

An employee of the commerce corporation shall be designated by the secretary of commerce as the broadband director. The broadband director shall be responsible for connecting and communicating with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and other federal agencies, as appropriate, to access federal funds for broadband infrastructure deployment pursuant to federal grants, facilitating broadband service adoption, expanding digital literacy for residents experiencing economic hardship, and for future economic development. The broadband director shall perform such other duties as assigned by the secretary of commerce.