Congressman Gabe Amo secured over $11 million in Community Project Funding for Rhode Island's First Congressional District, including nearly $2.7 million for projects in Jamestown, Newport, and Middletown. (Image: Office of Congressman Gabe Amo)

Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) announced Friday that he has secured more than $2.7 million in federal Community Project Funding for three Newport County projects as part of an $11 million package for Rhode Island’s First Congressional District.

The funding, which passed the House of Representatives on January 22, will be sent to the President for signature upon Senate passage.

Newport County projects

Three Newport County communities will directly benefit from the funding:

Middletown will receive $1,092,000 for its Sewer System Reconfiguration project. The Town of Middletown’s Department of Public Works has been working on improvements to sewer and storm-water systems in several locations, and has been studying a sewer pump station consolidation on the west side of town.

Newport will receive $1,092,000 for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Newport’s North End. The city has been working to inventory and address lead service lines, particularly in the historic North End where many older homes may still have lead pipes. The City of Newport’s Water Division has stated its goal is to achieve “Lead Zero” — eliminating all lead from the city’s water distribution system. Last fall, the city began notifying residents about lead or unknown service lines as part of compliance with new federal and state regulations designed to protect communities from lead exposure in drinking water.

Jamestown will receive $547,000 for Senior Center Facilities Improvements at the facility located at 6 West Street. The Jamestown Senior Center is currently undergoing renovations, with programs temporarily relocated to the Jamestown Clubhouse at the Jamestown Golf Course. The town had previously received $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding for the project, which was estimated to cost approximately $1 million.

Regional benefits

The funding package also includes $1,031,000 for the RI SmartBay Persistent Undersea Monitoring Platform, which could benefit the Newport County region. The SmartBay initiative aims to transform more than 150 square miles of Narragansett Bay’s coastal waters into a next-generation platform for ocean sensing, with connections to Newport’s growing Blue Economy sector. Innovate Newport has hosted events highlighting the SmartBay project and its potential to establish Rhode Island at the forefront of global ocean innovation.

Congressman’s statement

“Making sure Rhode Island communities have the resources they need to succeed is a key pillar of my work in Congress,” Congressman Amo said in a statement. “I’m proud to have secured more than $11 million dollars for our District for projects as diverse as police radios and upgraded sewer systems this year. This newly announced $2.6 million investment in Rhode Island’s First Congressional District will enhance flood response systems, fund public library renovations, and support the Greystone bridge reconstruction. I cannot wait to see these dollars at work in our communities, making them safer, stronger, and more resilient.”

Full funding package

Congressman Amo has secured funding for 15 projects totaling over $11 million across the First Congressional District in 2026:

  • $1,092,000 for the Middletown Sewer System Reconfiguration
  • $1,092,000 for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Newport’s North End
  • $1,031,000 for Providence River Debris Removal Project in East Providence
  • $1,031,000 for RI SmartBay Persistent Undersea Monitoring Platform
  • $1,000,000 for Greystone Bridge Reconstruction in Smithfield
  • $966,000 for Bristol Police Department Interoperable Encrypted Radio
  • $850,000 for Cumberland Public Library Exterior Renovations
  • $825,000 for Providence West River Flood Response Initiative
  • $785,000 for Essential Technology and Equipment for Smithfield Police Department
  • $547,000 for Jamestown Senior Center Facilities Improvements
  • $500,000 for North Smithfield Police Department Improvements
  • $450,000 for Police GO TEAM Enhancement and Expansion
  • $343,413 for North Providence Sewer Lining
  • $311,000 for Victim Advocacy and Police Support
  • $303,000 for Lincoln Police Department Purchase of Equipment and Virtual Reality Training

The legislation is awaiting passage in the Senate before being sent to the President.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).

He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.

Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.

In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.

In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.

Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.