Gov. to visit France, meet with execs of RI firm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Gov. Lincoln Chafee heads to France to meet with executives of a software company that employs about 350 workers in Rhode Island.

Christine Hunsinger, a spokeswoman for the governor, said he will travel to Paris on Saturday morning and return Tuesday.

The Providence Journal reports that Hunsinger says no state money will be used. Chafee's expenses will be covered by the Rhode Island Commodores, a nonprofit organization that seeks to help stimulate economic enterprise within Rhode Island.

James S. Bennett, chairman of the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority's board of directors, is to travel with the governor.

Chafee will visit Dassault Systemes, which maintains corporate headquarters in a Paris suburb. Hunsinger says the governor works to strengthen the state's relationships with its premier employers.