City & Government

PROVIDENCE, RI – The power of public-private partnerships united in purpose and focused on solving difficult problems was exemplified again today when local farmers and food security advocates joined government leaders in packing 103 boxes with local produce to be distributed to older Rhode Islanders in the Providence area who need them.
The group aligned around the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), which is playing a major role in fighting food insecurity for seniors by providing nutritious fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers. The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is working closely with the Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) to determine which communities are in most need of this assistance and to ensure the most helpful outcome. Participants included farmers who grew the produce, staff from Farm Fresh RI and Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) Acting Regional Administrator M. Christine Ruggieri, DEM Director Terry Gray, DEM Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment Chief Ken Ayars, and DEM staff along with Governor McKee’s Community Outreach Office and OHA.
Thus far in 2022, DEM and partners have provided more $220,000 worth of produce boxes to older Rhode Islanders in need. By the end of the year, this partnership will have made over 160 deliveries consisting of more than 9,000 produce boxes to senior centers, senior residences, and food pantries. Also, the SFMNP program has supported 30 local farmers, many of whom are black, indigenous, and people of color with small to medium-sized farm operations, by purchasing their locally grown produce for the boxes.
SFMNP provides low-income seniors with fresh, local vegetable and fruit boxes across the country. Fewer than one-third of older Americans eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, which are vital to preventing and treating health problems. USDA-FNS has been running the program since 2001 with the annual Farm Bill passed by Congress providing federal funding. Seniors receive a free food box filled with local seasonal produce with a value of around $20. To learn more, please visit our website.
For more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

On Wednesday morning, November 9, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will close the bridge that carries Fish Road over the Sin and Flesh Brook in Tiverton. The road will be closed for approximately two weeks, reopening on November 23, while RIDOT replaces the deteriorated bridge.
During the closure, all traffic will follow the detour RIDOT established last winter for trucks, when the bridge was posted at 3 tons because of its deteriorated condition. Traffic will use Route 24, Main Road (Route 77) and Bulgarmarsh Road (Route 177) to detour. A map showing the detour route is available at www.ridot.net/DetourMaps [r20.rs6.net].
RIDOT’s $926,000 project will used accelerated bridge construction methods including pre-fabricated bridge units (PBUs). The PBUs are installed side-by-side to rapidly create a new bridge deck, saving considerable time compared to the conventional approach of forming and pouring a concrete bridge deck. These steps will allow the Department to complete the project four to six months faster than using conventional methods.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
Fish Road carries about 9,000 vehicles per day.

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, leaders of the Rhode Island General Assembly, and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announce that $700,000 in Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) programming funding is available to help new and existing food businesses grow and flourish. Enacted in 2012 to “support and develop more robust and self-sustaining agricultural and seafood sectors,” LASA is an important catalyst in strengthening the local food system. Since its enactment 10 years ago, LASA has provided more than $1.4 million through individual program grants up to $20,000.
“The 2022 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grants support projects that help with the entry, growth, and sustainability of small or starting green sector businesses, with a particular focus on supporting a diversity of foods and food producers,” said Governor McKee. “LASA is a pillar of our food strategy through which Rhode Island is investing to provide consistent access to safe, healthy, affordable food.”
“The Local Agriculture and Seafood Act has always been about being firmly committed to our constituents and sending the message that we are 100 percent behind local businesses,” said Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, the Senate sponsor of LASA. “Local food gets from farm to table in fresher condition and means fewer trucks on the road, which means less air pollution. LASA encourages more people to eat more local food. This means better health for Rhode Islanders and our environment.”
“In the 10 years since LASA’s inception, a broad and diverse array of businesses and organizations have benefitted from grants including farmers’ markets, family farms, urban agricultural initiatives, oyster growers, cider makers, and dozens of others,” said Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, LASA’s House sponsor. “I am thrilled to see the level of support going into the next round of program grant funding and look forward to seeing how recipients use it to make Rhode Island’s food system more resilient and sustainable.”
“The fiscal 2023 budget was a product of true collaboration between the House, the Senate, and the Administration, and the House is particularly proud to have helped expand the program funding of the LASA grants to an historically high level,” said House Finance Committee Chairman Marvin Abney. “From Newport to North Smithfield, seafood and agriculture are staples of Rhode Island and investing in them by investing in small producers will boost our whole food economy.”
“Small businesses are the cornerstone of the Rhode Island economy, and agriculture and seafood businesses are the backbone of our food system. This significant investment in the LASA program championed by Senator Sosnowski will enhance the great work it does to support Ocean State food producers, strengthen our local food system, and help address food insecurity in our state,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ryan W. Pearson.
“DEM is always working to get more home-grown food on the table and by supporting local farmers and fishers in growing their businesses, the LASA grants help achieve this,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Growing local and eating local, fresh, sustainable food minimizes transportation costs, reduces carbon emissions, and boosts the local economy while providing the freshest product possible to the consumer.”
The 2022 programming funding priorities include:
o Supporting the entry, growth, and sustainability of small or beginning agriculture producers and fishers.
o Supporting agriculture producers and fishers that are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
o Supporting the development of new marketing, promotion, sales, and/or distribution channels.
o Supporting the development of new products, including value-added processing capacity.
o Fostering new cooperatives, partnerships, and/or collaborations among Rhode Island agriculture producers and fishers and supporting organizations.
o Fostering and building capacity for markets connecting local farms and fishers with Rhode Island’s food insecure communities.
o Protecting the future availability of agricultural land for producers, including farm transition planning and implementation, and assisting with on farm food safety improvements, including the developing of Food Safety Modernization Act and hazard analysis critical control point standards.
During the 2021 grant program, DEM awarded $250,000 of programming funding in LASA grants to 12 recipients. Eligible entities include for-profit farmers, fishers, producer groups, and non-profit organizations. Applicants must be based in Rhode Island and only small and/or beginning farmers, or producer groups of small or beginning farmers, are eligible to apply for capital grants. Aquaculture operators are considered farmers in the LASA program.
For more information on the LASA Grant program, please visit DEM’s website. Applications should be completed online via the State of Rhode Island Grant’s Management System by Nov. 30, 2022 at 11:59 PM. Grant-related questions should be directed to Ananda Fraser, Chief Program Development in DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment at 401-222-2781 or via email to DEM.LASA@dem.ri.gov.
DEM continues to work across many fronts to benefit and strengthen Rhode Island’s green economy and to assist local farmers and fishers in growing their businesses. There are more than 1,000 farms sprinkled across the state and Rhode Island is home to a thriving young farmer network. DEM continues to make investments in critical infrastructure as well as provide farm incubation space to new farmers through its Urban Edge Farm and Snake Den Farm properties. The state’s food scene is often cited as an area of economic strength ripe for innovation and growth. Already, the local food industry supports 60,000 jobs, and the state’s green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy annually.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, the RI Department of Education (RIDE), RI Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Children’s Cabinet announced the first step of Rhode Island’s plan to reach 5,000 Pre-K by 2028: A series of public feedback sessions to gather community input on the new Working Draft Report and Preliminary Recommendations for Expanding RI Pre-K.
“Access to high-quality early learning is essential for all children to have an opportunity to thrive and succeed – it’s also crucial for Rhode Island’s economic success,” said Governor Dan McKee. “As we consider how best to expand RI Pre-K, we must ensure that we are truly meeting the needs of families and strengthening the birth through five system as whole. That’s why community and family input is so important to this process.”
The FY23 Enacted State Budget charged RIDE — in partnership with DHS and the Children’s Cabinet — with developing an RI Pre-K expansion plan to reach 5,000 RI Pre-K seats by 2028. An interagency RI Pre-K team has developed a Working Draft Report and Preliminary Recommendations on RI Pre-K Expansion for public comment and feedback. This working draft has been developed with input from providers, families, advocates, and other stakeholders as well as prior reports and national research. The goal of this document is to provide a preliminary draft for the community to react to and provide feedback on to inform the final report.
“The House and Senate worked collaboratively with Governor McKee in crafting the state budget and we all prioritized the expansion of Pre-K opportunities as a vital component toward improving educational outcomes. We are proud to have invested additional funding and resources to ensure that learning begins at an early age,” said Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi.
President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio said, “Putting Rhode Island on a path to universal pre-K was a top priority for the Senate during the 2022 session. Pre-K expansion will help us build a brighter future Rhode Island and give all our children the best possible chance for success in school and in life. Feedback from families, communities, and key stakeholders will make clear just how transformative this initiative can be for our state, while helping ensure we take the best possible approach moving forward.”
RI Pre-K is top-ranked nationally for quality, meeting ten out of ten quality benchmarks from the National Institute on Early Education Research (NIEER). Currently, Rhode Island has over 2,300 RI Pre-K seats serving four-year-olds in 18 communities and is delivered through schools, child care centers, and Head Start agencies.
“Learning starts at birth and RIDE is committed to expanding our top-ranked RI Pre-K program in a way that closes opportunity gaps in early learning. This working draft focuses on equity in particular for our multilingual learners and for differently abled students,” said RIDE Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “We welcome all feedback and input on this report and look forward to working with the community to continue to build a strong, cohesive early learning system.”
“The Children’s Cabinet is focused on interagency collaboration to make systems and programs work better for children and families,” said Acting EOHHS Secretary and Chair of the Children’s Cabinet Ana Novais. “The preliminary recommendations in this draft are a great example of how we can leverage the expertise, systems, and funding across agencies to meet the needs of children and families. We encourage everyone – families, providers, educators, and community members – to review the draft and share your thoughts.”
“DHS is committed to supporting the mixed-delivery system and increasing access to high quality child care for low-income families,” said Acting DHS Director Kimberly Brito. “We are proud to partner with RIDE and the Children’s Cabinet to develop the working draft. Community input is vital to ensuring that the final document sets our state on a strong trajectory for growing RI Pre-K in the years to come.”
The Working Draft Report and Preliminary Recommendations for RI Pre-K Expansion can be found here. Members of the public are encouraged to review the report and share feedback:
Submit written feedback via an online survey form: https://forms.gle/xRW4H1SB9PmeUr666
Participate in upcoming public feedback sessions about the plan via Zoom:
– Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 3 to 4 p.m. EST
– Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 9 to 10 a.m. EST
– Zoom Meeting Information: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84654314291
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PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee was joined by Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation, legislative leaders, Brown University, and development partner Ancora L&G to break ground on a 212,000 square foot, 7-story building that will house the State’s new health lab, life sciences labs for Brown University, and additional bio-technology space in the state’s Innovation and Design District on the former I-195 land.
“Rhode Island has momentum – and this project is crucial to ensuring the momentum continues in the areas of public health and our life sciences economy,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We’re grateful for the partners who came together to ensure Rhode Island maximizes this significant economic development opportunity while advancing the state’s important public health goals.”
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) State Health Laboratories will anchor the facility, with the remaining floors available to academic and industry partners in the biotechnology field. The 80,000-square-foot state-of-the-art State Health Laboratories will provide updated and flexible space to accommodate biological and chemical testing for a variety of infectious disease, environmental, and forensic testing services.
“The construction of this new facility in Rhode Island is essential to our efforts to strengthen the nation’s capacity to prevent and rapidly respond to any public health event,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH. “Investments like these are critical to help equitably protect the health, safety, and security of all. We look forward to the benefits that this facility will bring to Rhode Island and surrounding areas.”
To help attract additional tenants and encourage a thriving mix of public and private entities focused on health and medicine, Brown University has signed a letter of intent with Ancora to lease 20,000 square feet of laboratory space in the building.
Josh Parker, CEO of Ancora L&G, said, “We are delighted to have been selected as the developer for the RIDOH State Health Laboratories. The development will deliver much-needed infrastructure for Rhode Island, including state-of-the-art public health labs that will enhance the State’s ability to test for and manage a broad range of infectious diseases and illnesses, together with private-sector lab space to support expansion of the area’s growing bioscience ecosystem. We are excited to be working on this project, demonstrating our ability to deliver against the needs of our anchor institution partners.”
This public/private partnership follows a condominium model with ownership of the State Health Laboratories unit conveyed to the State of Rhode Island on completion, and Ancora L&G retaining ownership of the private laboratory space. Funding for the $81.7 million state laboratory comes from an Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The total project cost is expected to be $165 million.
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline helped secure federal funding for the state health lab in the American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2) and $81.7 million of this funding was directed to Rhode Island under the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Grant program, which is administered by the CDC. The total project cost is expected to be $165 million.
“The new state health lab will be cutting edge. It will bring together public health resources and academic research to protect and promote the health and well-being of Rhode Islanders. It will have advanced capabilities for things like testing for blood lead levels, monitoring air and water pollution, to supporting infectious disease outbreak and surveillance investigations,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed.
“I’m pleased that the state has selected the former 195 land for our new federally funded state-of-the-art public health lab,” said U.S. Senator Whitehouse. “The significant federal investment we secured will help keep Rhode Islanders safe from infectious diseases and add a landmark addition to the District’s growing life sciences cluster.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic made it clear that preparedness is key when public health emergencies strike,” said U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin. “I’m thrilled that Governor McKee and his administration are partnering with Ancora L&G to expand our public health infrastructure by breaking ground on a new state health lab. This facility will help ensure that we have state-of-the-art technology at the ready if and when the next crisis arrives. In the meantime, it will deliver fast and reliable medical results to patients all across Rhode Island.”
“This CDC grant and public-private partnership will create critically needed bioscience infrastructure in Rhode Island,” said U.S. Congressman David Cicilline. “The new facility will provide a modern space for the state’s Department of Health and other scientists to conduct cutting-edge research, helping to ensure we are prepared to identify and respond to new viruses and infectious diseases. I’m thrilled to be breaking ground on this new facility, and am excited to see the groundbreaking innovation that it will support.”
The project is the result of a multi-partner collaboration, which alongside Ancora L&G and its development partner GRE, a regional development services company serving the Science and Technology sector, includes the RI Department of Administration, the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission, the RI Commerce Corporation, the RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and RIDOH.
Building on its long-standing commitment to supporting Jewelry District projects that contribute to the economic vitality of the city and the state, Brown University has signed a letter of intent with Ancora Partners to lease 20,000 square feet of laboratory space in the building for a period of 10 years. Brown has a substantial amount of academic activity relevant to the mission of RIDOH located nearby, including education and research at the Warren Alpert Medical School, Laboratories for Molecular Medicine and School of Public Health. This summer, Brown began work toward creating an integrated life sciences building in the district and simultaneously developed an expansive plan to significantly increase the impact of its research benefiting communities locally, nationally and globally.
“The pandemic proved how critical it is to have a modern State Health Lab to meet such increased health demands,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio. “We strongly support this facility, and we are pleased the federal government provided funding to enable our state to make such an important investment.”
“When we can fulfill our academic needs for additional space to advance high-impact research, and at the same time spark investments from new commercial partners, we see benefits not just for Brown, but also for the economic vitality of Providence and Rhode Island,” said Brown University President Christina H. Paxson. “We are excited to see this latest joint effort between state and federal leaders, Ancora L&G and Brown bring RIDOH to the Jewelry District. This new life sciences development is an ideal illustration of how we can have a bigger impact together than any one of us could have individually.”
“This public-private partnership is exactly the catalyst needed to propel life science development in the District,” said Robert Davis, Chairman of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission. “The 130,000 square feet of private lab space could not have been built except through this kind of partnership and its presence will pave the way for more life science businesses to grow and energize Rhode Island’s economy.”
With 50,000 square feet of direct usable space, the new lab will offer a larger, more modern and technologically advanced workspace than the current state health lab located at 50 Orms Street. Like the Orms Street location, the new lab will include a Biosafety Level 3 facility and will be able to provide critical services for a variety of infectious disease, environmental, and forensic testing needs. The updated space will allow the State Health Laboratory to be more flexible in response to emerging threats and applying new technologies including the expanding field of genome sequencing.
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PROVIDENCE, RI – With days growing shorter, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) cautions motorists to be on high alert for deer crossing roadways, particularly at dawn and dusk. The deer breeding season (known as the “rut”) begins in late October and continues through November until early December. Deer tend to move around more frequently during this time, and November is typically the peak period for collisions with motor vehicles.
Some tips for avoiding or mitigating auto collisions with deer include:
o Scan the shoulders of the road in front of you; deer may dash out from the shoulder or wooded areas adjacent to the road.
o Follow the speed limit; keeping your speed down will give you more time to respond to unexpected wildlife movements.
o Always use seat belts, since most injuries occur to drivers who are not belted.
o If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes firmly and remain in your lane; swerving sharply can cause an even more serious crash.
o If you see a deer while operating a motor vehicle, proceed with caution and expect more than just one deer to appear.
Anyone who strikes a deer should exercise caution when approaching the deer, as it may only be stunned, and a person could become seriously injured by a wounded animal’s attempt to escape. In accordance with state law, any deer-vehicle collision must be reported to DEM’s 24-hour dispatch office at 222-3070, as well as to local police and the driver’s insurance company. Motorists also can notify the dispatcher if you see an injured or road-killed deer. Though small consolation, the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident may choose to keep the deer with a permit from DEM. The owner may request a permit when calling the 24-hour dispatch office to report the accident.
DEM works to protect and enhance wildlife habitat in Rhode Island forests and management areas to ensure healthier, more diverse, and abundant wildlife populations. White-tailed deer are a common sight in Rhode Island, with large populations all over the state, including many of the Bay Islands. Hunting has proven to be the most cost-effective, efficient, and successful method of controlling deer populations, which in turn ensures that the population remains in balance with ecological and social factors. Hunting deer is a traditional use of this natural resource for meat and hide. To learn about the latest deer harvest and deer hunter summary, please visit the DEM website. This information serves as a guide to future management decisions to ensure there is continued hunting opportunity for hunters while maintaining a healthy deer population.
Hunting has a long tradition in Rhode Island, supporting family customs, connecting people with nature, and attracting tourism to the state. Hunters provide funding for wildlife conservation through their purchase of firearms and ammunition through the federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, and through the purchase of their state hunting licenses. Hunters and anglers purchase around 70,000 licenses, permits, stamps, and tags each year and contribute more than $235 million to the state economy.
Also, DEM is seeking a Wildlife Recovery Seasonal Assistant to work with the DEM Division of Law Enforcement (DLE). This position is responsible for assisting and supporting the recovery, disposal, and care of sick, injured, and/or dead wildlife; including owls, hawks, eagles, and especially deer killed by auto strikes. By joining #TeamDEM, you will support the agency’s mission of protecting natural resources, public health, and public safety. A full description of this opportunity and an application are available online. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 12, 2022 at 11:59 PM.
For more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates. Follow DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife for more information on deer hunting and other timely updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rifishwildlife and Instagram (@ri.fishwildlife).