|
It can be hard to even know where to start when the challenges we face seem so large and deeply entrenched. The best answer? Start in your own backyard.
Our clients are doing just that by moving things forward right here close to home. As you can see below, they’ve been building new homes and preparing students for tomorrow’s jobs while local Scouts were out collecting 145 tons (!!) of food - the largest amount in the Narragansett Council’s more than a century of service.
As we close out the year and reflect on the progress we’ve supported on a thousand fronts, big and small, we also know that next year is a whole new ball game. And we’ll be ready.
Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Keep the faith.
| | Scouts collect more than 145 tons of food for Rhode Island's largest food drive, nearly double 2024 totals | | Scouts from Troop 66 Cranston sort food donations at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. | | As federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits neared exhaustion during the federal government shutdown, Scouts from Narragansett Council – Scouting America were prepared to step up for their communities. | | |
The Council had already planned its annual Scouting for Food initiative for November, but as the shutdown strained household budgets, the need grew dramatically. Scouts rose to the challenge – nearly doubling last year’s total - by collecting more than 145 tons (290,000 pounds) of food for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and more than 50 local food pantries in Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts and southeastern Connecticut.
But you can still help - If you want to donate to the initiative, you still can by going to scoutingforfood.org to make a monetary donation or to find a drop-off location near you.
| | Odin Properties to transform long-vacant mill into 124 units of housing in Lincoln | | From left: R.I. Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith; U.S. Sen. Jack Reed; R.I. Governor Dan McKee; U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse; Phil Balderston, CEO of Odin Properties; Lincoln Town Administrator Phil Gould; R.I. Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi; R.I. Sen. Jacob Bissaillon; U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo, R.I. Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor; R.I Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard; James Comer, Deputy Executive Director of RIHousing; Kyle Bennett, Board Member, Providence Revolving Fund | | |
Odin Properties recently broke ground on Walker Lofts, an adaptive reuse development transforming the long-vacant Sayles Company Dye House in Lincoln, R.I. into much-needed affordable housing for Rhode Islanders.
Located at 40 Walker Street, the project will include 124 new apartments across 107,500 square feet in three mill buildings. The apartment mix includes 98 one-bedroom units, 21 two-bedroom units and five three-bedroom units. 32 units will be reserved for households earning at or below 80% of the Area Media Income (AMI).
Walker Lofts, backed by support from RIHousing and Rhode Island Commerce, is scheduled for completion in late 2027.
| | Quonset celebrates 15,000 jobs | | Managing Director of the Quonset Development Center Steven J. King addresses a crowd of elected officials, business leaders and Quonset stakeholders at its 15,000th job celebration | | Quonset Development Corporation recently celebrated the creation of the 15,000th job at Quonset Business Park. From advanced electronics to pool products to defense innovation, Quonset is now home to nearly 1 in 5 manufacturing jobs in the Ocean State. | | |
"Surpassing the 15,000-job threshold is an accomplishment that represents the collective efforts of hundreds of people who worked over several decades to make the business park the success it is today,” QDC Managing Director Steven J. King said. “I am grateful to our current and former federal, state and local leaders, as well as the QDC staff – past and present – who believed in the vision that’s been achieved and that we celebrate together today.”
Hayward Industries, which is located at the business park, hosts the honorary 15,000th employee, 2025 University of Rhode Island graduate Owen Surette (left) of Providence.
| | RIC's new cyber range gives students hands-on experience defending against cyberattacks | | Governor Dan McKee powers up cyber range with (from immediate left) R.I. Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi, President Jack Warner, Congressman Jim Langevin, Dean Marianne Raimondo, Senate President Val Lawson. | | |
The Institute for Cybersecurity & Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art cybersecurity range, powered by IBM.
Designed to mirror the intensity of real-world threats, the facility engages students in high-pressure scenarios, including staged cyberattacks, that reflect the complexity and urgency of modern incident response. It marks the latest milestone for the institute, which launched in 2023 under the leadership of cybersecurity expert and former Congressman Jim Langevin.
| | "My passion for cybersecurity is about helping people stay safe in the digital world. Since coming to RIC, I have earned the technical knowledge to do that and also gained an invaluable community of peers and professors who have helped me grow,” said Semhal Katz (right), a senior majoring in cybersecurity who will be using the range in her upcoming courses. “This will give us the experience we’ll need to launch successful careers and make a lasting impact in the field of cybersecurity.” | | | Hello Connecticut! Grey Sail and Outer Light shares sips of winter | | |
Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island and its newly acquired sister brewery Groton’s Outer Light Brewing Company stopped by WFSB’s ‘Hello Connecticut’ to spotlight their winter and holiday beers, including Grey Sail’s 14th anniversary beer, Perla Italian-Style Pilsner.
This year’s collection brings back fan-favorite brews that capture the flavor of the season. Paying tribute to their reputation of coastal craftsmanship, the holiday lineup is made to share and brings together a cozy batch of drinks to round out the holiday table.
- Grey Sail’s Perla Italian-Style Pilsner
- Grey Sail’s Kegnog Milkshake IPA
- Outer Light’s Libation Propaganda Coffee Stout
| | | | |
