NEWPORT — John H. Ellis, president and CEO of Bank of Newport, presented the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission with $15,000 to help fund the next major step in the West Side Master Plan process: a feasibility assessment to weigh the economic, social, and environmental advantages of alternative land use scenarios for the western portion of the island.
The AIPC recently held two public workshops to present three land use scenarios for the West Side that reflected public input received last year. The AIPC also presented criteria that will be guidelines for the completed master plan. More than 100 people attended the workshops, provided input, and discussed the future of the west side of the island, for which the group is preparing a master plan.
"Bank of Newport is pleased to support the planning efforts of the Aquidneck Island West Side Master Plan," Ellis said. "The bank’s funding of the feasibility assessment will ensure valuable development opportunities are identified and proper planning will be in place for the west side of Aquidneck Island and its potential as a tremendous resource for our community in the years to come."
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Bay Partnership
Grants to fund environmental projects
PROVIDENCE — The Partnership for Narragansett Bay has awarded more than $120,000 in grant funding to environmental projects in the Narragansett Bay watershed (RI and Mass.) and Rhode Island’s coastal ponds watersheds.
The Partnership for Narragansett Bay Watershed Action Grant program received project proposals requesting over $420,000 from across the bay watershed and ten projects were selected to receive the $122,600 in available grant funds, leveraging an additional $77,000 in local matching funds. Projects funded address wetland restoration, watershed planning, bay research and land preservation. Most of the projects involved partnerships and provide benefits for both the Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Bronze sculpture
celebrating travel unveiled at T.F. Green
WARWICK – A new bronze sculpture will greet travelers at T.F. Green Airport. The sculpture of a family happily rushing to board a plane was commissioned by The New England Parking Company three years ago. Chris Kane of Kane Sculpture Studios of Pawtucket created the statute using four Rhode Island residents as models. "This sculpture is another welcome addition to the property in and around the airport and is a fitting tribute to family travel," said Michael Cheston, executive director of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.
Rhode Island’s
unemployment rate up slightly
CRANSTON — Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate showed little change in May, inching up only .1 percent to 4.7 percent, according to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. The April unemployment rate was revised upward to 4.6 percent.
"While the worst of the recession is over and the recovery is under way, Rhode Island’s economy continues to fare better than the nation," said Lee H. Arnold, director RIDLT. "Our unemployment rate remained well below the national average for the 10th month in a row and the number of jobs in the state increased by 3,500 over the last year."
Tourism council
receives $510,000 for boat ramp
PROVIDENCE – The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has received preliminary approval for the Blackstone River Navigation System – a series of docking and landings along the Blackstone River. Funding for the construction of four new river landings will cost $510,000 and will come from state and federal money appropriated under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.
The river landings were approved among 147 applications submitted to the state’s Transportation Enhancement Advisory Committee. The proposal must now receive approval from the state’s Transportation Advisory Committee and be included as part of the state’s upcoming Transportation Improvement Program for the new fiscal year.
DEM opens part
of Greenwich Bay
PROVIDENCE – In response to fishermen’s requests, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has opened the eastern part of the Greenwich Bay Shellfish Management Area this summer for quahog catching.
The area, opened last week, starts east of the line between Sally Rock Point at the tip of Goddard Park and runs to the westernmost flagpole along Promenade Street in Old Buttonwoods. According to DEM, the area is open daily from sunrise to sunset until Sept. 2, on a conditional basis and is subject to closure after rainfall events. Daily catch limits are three bushels per day for commercial license holders, two gallons per day for Rhode Island residents, and one-half peck for licensed non-residents.
SEA CORP awarded
Navy contract for sonar work
MIDDLETOWN – SEA CORP has won a five-year, $15 million contract from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center for technical services on submarine sonar and other electronics. The services entail a full-range of system engineering, including design, analysis, installation, and testing of sonar and other combat systems equipment aboard all classes of submarines. The contract was award to SEA CORP based on a nationwide competition among all eligible small businesses.
SEA CORP, based in Middletown, employs 150 engineers, technicians and business management personnel.
(Compiled from news reports and releases.)
