Emphasizes strategies that play to Rhode Island's strengths, such as its large collection of restored historic buildings and compact, mixed-use neighborhoods - qualities that have already proven to draw small and medium size business investors.

As seen in PBN's 8.17.09 issue:

PBN: How is Rhode Island doing spending the federal stimulus money?

WOLF: We've seen a lot of improvement since January. The governor has designated two very savvy people - Kevin Flynn, who heads the Division of State Planning, and Mike Saul, the interim director of the R.I. Economic Development Corporation - to coordinate the solicitation of ideas. The other action we thought was positive was the establishment of a four- or five-person unit in the governor's office to work full time on allocation of the stimulus money.

PBN: A lot of the stimulus money is going toward transportation infrastructure. How is that being spent?

... Read full interview

Related stories:

Consultant: RI advised to emphasize advantages - PBN 9.9.09

Consultant delivers report on RI economy - Projo 9.10.09

Projects included work on agricultural viability, economic development and smart growth case studies

Grow Smart acknowledges and thanks the team of five talented and enthusiastic summer interns who provided pro bono services to further our work promoting policies that make Rhode Island a better place to live, learn and work and for business to invest, grow and innovate.

Daniel Bowen, a Brown University Junior, contributed research services related to best practices in municipal agricultural ordinances. Third year Roger Williams University law student, Derek Drizin, also researched agricultural ordinances and assisted staff on agricultural policy development. Will Bowling, a 2007 graduate of Brown University and Jonathan Martin, a third-year engineering student at Lafayette College in Easton, PA performed research and analysis on development of a smart site inventory. Ashley Steen, a graduate student at the Pratt Institute in New York City, helped to develop a number of case studies that illustrate the principles and effectiveness of local smart growth projects.

Interested in an internship or know a prospective intern? Click HERE for a description of opportunities.

Grant from van Beuren Foundation funds partnership to study opportunities and challenges and put in place sustainable systems

Spurred by the increasing demand for local produce, Rhode Island agriculture has experienced significant growth in recent years. But even as they celebrate this growth, agricultural interests are concerned that our state does not have the support structure in place to ensure that farms will continue to provide good livelihoods for farming families and that Rhode Islanders will continue to enjoy the benefits derived from fresh and healthy local produce.

Now, a generous grant from the van Beuren Foundation is funding the Rhode Island Agricultural Partnership Collaborative to study the opportunities and challenges facing local agriculture and to design a system to sustain and expand Rhode Island's farms and local food system for the long term.

The collaborative is led by a Steering Committee that includes producers representing the various commodity groups in the state as well as several non- profit entities dedicated to providing services to farmers and promoting agricultural viability.

... Read more

Related News:

New England Governors publish land conservation report, adopt resolution calling for conservation initiatives including protection of region's agricultural land base and expanded agricultural production. Click HERE for details.

Countdown has begun. Existing transportation spending bill (SAFETEA-LU) expires on September 30, 2009

With Congress and the President focused on health insurance reform, a complete overhaul of the 6-year federal transportation spending act is not likely to occur before the existing act, SAFETEA-LU, expires later this month.

It is more likely that the $450 billion Surface Transportation Authorization Act will be extended from 3-18 months. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) is hoping for just a 3-month extension, while Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has legislation in place to extend the existing transportation bill another 18 months.

Meanwhile, both chambers have passed the 2010 Transportation and HUD Appropriations bill, which is now headed to a House / Senate conference to resolve differences regarding the level of support for high speed rail.

To learn more about proposed reforms to SAFETEA-LU reflecting smart growth principles, visit Transportation for America

On Common Ground dedicates an entire issue to transportation including articles on The Federal Transportation Program, Spurring Growth with TOD, The Transportation Element of the Affordability Equation and Complete Streets 2009

To say that America is at a pivotal time in addressing transportation would be an understatement. A confluence of factors - including economic distress, politics, personal travel trends and changing real estate markets - is posing a rare opportunity to create a new national transportation vision in a way not seen since the Interstate Highway system was created during the Eisenhower years.

Crumbling infrastructure and a need to create jobs to jump-start the economy has brought immediate and generous funding to transportation projects nationwide in the recently adopted economic stimulus legislation. Beyond that, a new Administration and Congress are focused on the environment, climate change, and reducing energy use, and Congress will be writing a new six-year authorization bill for transportation funding later this year, which will create an opportunity to shift funding priorities and create a coherent strategy for our transportation future.

Browse this issue of On Common Ground

36-acre redevelopment of Interstate 195 land may complement emerging plans for "Meds and Eds" streetcar service connecting East Side with hospital district

City and state officials released a new report this month intened to outline the highest and best use of prime downtown land that will become available following a two-year demolition of the old stretch of Interstate 195, as the new I-Way takes its place.

The report points out three main objectives that will come from the re-use of the land; an increased tax base, economic development and urban revitalization. "With the relocation of Interstate 195, the tear in the fabric of downtown will be repaired, and a new vibrant neighborhood can grow in the city," said Thomas E. Deller, AICP, Director of the Department of Planning and Development for the City of Providence.

The plan coincides with an emerging vision to enhance metro area transit service, including the re-establishment of streetcar service in Providence. Through the Metro Transit Enhancement Study, City and State officials are now evaluating the costs and benefits of comprehensive improvements to meet the growing demand for clean, convenient and affordable transportation options for residents, commuters and visitors. Grow Smart is a member of the Metro Transit Enhancement Study Working Group.

Related links:

Download the I-195 Surplus Land Report (50 MB)

Projo: Report offers plan for use of highway land - 9.03.09

Metro Study: Streetcar Preliminary Planning Overview (ppt)

Metro Transit Enhancement Study website

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