by Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The University of Rhode Island and the U.S. Navy are working together to help small businesses grow, conduct research and commercialize their technology.

URI’s Business Engagement Center and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport formalized their partnership April 13.

Each entity has been working with local businesses separately. Katharine Hazard Flynn, executive director of the business center, says the partnership will allow them to provide more robust offerings to companies.

The Navy and the university have access to different labs, research capabilities and patents.

Flynn says small and medium defense companies can grow by using the connections they make through the new partnership with labs, students and similar companies.

The Navy says it’s also a way for the warfare center’s engineers to learn about emerging proprietary research and development.