As part of its Sea Grant work to promote management of growth for sustainable communities and a sustainable future, the Coastal Resources Center is:
Working with Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) and other state agencies to clarify the growth center designation process. One of the four charges of the Rhode Island Governor’s Growth Planning Council is to “Recommend ways of encouraging growth in economic and environmentally sound locations”(Governor’s Growth Planning Council, 2002). Growth centers are dynamic and efficient centers for development with a core of commercial and community services, residential development, and natural and built landmarks and boundaries that provide a sense of place (Governor’s Growth Planning Council, 2002). The establishment of growth centers is a critical first step for managing future development in Rhode Island’s cities and towns.
Identifying specific incentives/benefits provided by RIEDC and other state and federal programs to a municipality with an official growth center designation and involve key municipal stakeholders in this discussion. This may include presenting examples of growth center programs from other parts of the country, including Connecticut, New Jersey, and Oregon that have a strong track record in the application of this smart growth tool.
Applying the newly developed growth center initiative on Aquidneck Island’s West Side as part of the process of planning for the development and/or conservation of many acres of excess navy property. This includes working with the three municipalities, the Chamber of Commerce and key state agencies on understanding the growth center initiative and participating in the implementation.
Developing a training initiative targeted at municipal staff, boards, and commissions in the pilot area, which explains the concept of growth centers and the implementation of the process needed to secure this designation. This training will serve as an opportunity to apply the EPA smart growth training principles.
Providing the RIEDC with specific recommendations on:
revising the Rhode Island Growth Center initiative based on results from the pilot experience
expanding the initiative with federal and private funding opportunities and
identifying other locations and municipalities that should be considered priorities for growth center designation.