Pawtucket company picked to represent RI at White House

By Alana Cerrone

acerrone@abc6.com

@Alana_Cerrone

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) – Gregg Scarlata thought it was a joke when a colleague told him the White House called his family rug business in Pawtucket.

"I was just like, ‘no they didn’t’," Scarlata said.

But it was legitimate. Colonial Mills was chosen to represent Rhode Island at a national display  called the ‘Made in America Product Showcase’.

At the White House Monday, President Donald Trump thanked and celebrated each of the 50 businesses.

Colonial Mills started at their Mineral Spring Ave. factory over 40 years ago.

They make ten thousand rugs a month from start to finish.

Every material is American-made…almost.

The wool has to be imported from Canada.

But to the Scarlata’s, keeping Colonial Mills in Pawtucket is worth it, even if going abroad would be cheaper.

©WLNE-TV 2018