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LATEST NEWS

AT A GLANCE

EVENTS:

Next Roundtable: The Historic Heartbeat of our Main Streets featuring Kelsey Mullen of the State Historic Preservation Office: THIS THURSDAY January 15, 12pm. REGISTER

Rhody Streets Transformation Network Meeting (formerly Paths to Progress):

Tuesday, January 13, 5:30 - 7:00 pm. TONIGHT REGISTER.

MEDIA AND COMMENTARY:


Ocean State Welcomes its Latest Celebrity Residents: Trolls by Lisa Watts

Smart Growth in Rhode Island: A Chance to Reimagine Our Communities

Opinion in EcoRI news written by Nate Kelly of Horsley Witten Group and Jillian Finkle of Grow Smart RI, December 15, 2025

SPECIAL:

Announcing our first Main Street Learning Cohort!

PARTNER NEWS AND PROGRAMS:

We're excited to be collaborating with several other mission aligned organizations here in Rhode Island. Be sure to catch all that they're up to at the bottom of this Newsletter. 

Have something to share for our next monthly edition? If so, email Caroline Stevens.

EVENTS

The Historic Heartbeat of our Main Streets

January 15, 2026, 12-1PM

Featuring: Kelsey Mullen, Senior Historian & Public Information Officer, State Historic Preservation Office

Reusing old buildings to serve current needs is central to cultivating a thriving Main Street. In this session, the RI State Historic Preservation Office will highlight the benefits of preservation as a tool of economic development and demystify how the State’s preservation office approaches Main Street projects. Come with your questions!

TONIGHT: 
Rhody Streets Transformation Network Meeting

January 13, 2026, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

30 Exchange Terrace, 1st floor, Providence

Light meal will be served | $25 stipend for HEZ resident volunteers

*NEW NAME!* previously known as Paths to Progress

MEDIA AND COMMENTARY

Smart Growth in Rhode Island: A Chance to Reimagine Our Communities

Opinion in EcoRI news written by Nate Kelly of Horsley Witten Group and Jillian Finkle of Grow Smart RI, December 15, 2025

Are You Signed up for Our Main Street News? If not, you're missing out. Read our recent edition of our monthly Main Street RI News and sign up for more!

SPECIAL

Announcing our First Main Street Learning Cohort!

Congratulations to the eleven communities selected to participate in our inaugural RI Main Street Learning Cohort

PARTNER NEWS + PROGRAMS

EVENTS:


Next Strong Towns Providence Discussion: Wednesday, January 14th @5:30pm, Urban Greens Co-op at 93 Cranston St, Providence 

Neighbors Welcome! RI Policy Kickoff Event: Tuesday, January 20th @3pm, State House Library

Providence Preservation Society Annual Meeting, Thursday January 29th 4-6pm, Gospel Tabernacle Outreach Ministries, 145 Oakland Avenue, Providence. Register.

OPPORTUNITY:

AARP Rhode Island invites local eligible organizations and governments across the country to apply for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more.

All projects must be completed by December 15, 2026. Learn More.

Also, a public Q&A Webinar for interested applicants will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026: Question & Answer Webinar, 2 pm ET. Attendance is optional Register Today!

Have something to share for our next monthly edition? If so, email Caroline Stevens.

RHODY LOVE NOTES:

a collective mapping project that builds community around beloved places and spaces hidden across Rhode Island.

a Rhody Love Note for you . . .

TO: Beavertail Point

FROM: Mona Salzillo

A note of gratitude and love to Beavertail Point. Sitting on those rocks jutting into the ocean, I have found peace, solace, and contentment when I’ve needed that sense of well-being the most.

Name: Mona Salzillo

LOCATION: Beavertail Point, Jamestown, RI

LOVE THIS? Share Your Love with Grow Smart RI by Making a Donation Today.

Grow Smart RI is proud to be collaborating with AARP all year long to advance smart growth in Rhode Island:

Opt-In Notice. Yes, please share my information with AARP so it can keep me informed about AARP programs, events and offerings. I understand AARP will send me an initial email to confirm my interest in further AARP email communications and my email preferences can be changed at any time. AARP Privacy Policy

Thank You to our Corporate Members

Grow Smart RI | www.GrowSmartRI.org