Currently the state of Rhode Island is recognized as the country's smallest, in land area, behind the the First State of Delaware. Rhode Island is currently listed at 1,045 square miles while Delaware entails 1,954 square miles. "We're only 909 behind. I mean...c'mon. That's just a little over 900," said Carl Smith, a resident of Pawtucket, RI. Ten years ago the Ocean State established a committee that would focus on strategies to surpass Delaware and end years of humiliation. The billions of dollars invested in the project has apparently paid off because Rhode Island is expected to pass Delaware in land area by 2010. "I really can't believe that it's happening. No more jokes or quips or anything," said Director of Project Un-tiny, Heidi Martinez.
Some experts have said that having the "smallest state" label has boosted the Rhode Island economy exponentially. "Everyone remembers the biggest and the smallest. It's a great way to market your state...people will remember," said Stephie Sinclair of Center City Marketing Inc. Rhode Island officials turned their nose to this theory, but Delaware has welcomed it. "We established a committee years ago to see if we could slide into the 50th slot," said Frank Johnson, leader of Project Tiny. T-shirts with "Nobody remembers number 49" written on the front have sold out of Wilmington, DE stores.
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