GrowSmartRI

10/16/2026

We're ready! Are YOU?! Join us tomorrow for our Main Street Together Conference to connect with future friends and neighbors who all share a commitment to making our main streets and commercial corridors better together.

If you can't come, invite your neighbors and colleagues. You all belong here and walk-ups are more than welcome.

Fondly,
Your Friends at Main Street RI

10/15/2026

🚶‍♀️ Walk Downtown With Us!

Join the Providence Downtown Improvement District for AARP Rhode Island’s Walktober on Thursday, October 22, from 11 AM to 1 PM!

Meet us at DID headquarters at 30 Exchange Street for a walk through downtown Providence, learn about the work our team does to keep the city clean, safe, welcoming, and vibrant, and finish with refreshments at Track 15.

Come meet the team and experience downtown from a new perspective!

🔗 RSVP here and up in bio: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/4aaewz7

10/14/2026

10/13/2026

Following our 9/13 article in the Providence Journal "New Hub a step to building a better RI transit system", A.H. Liddle questioned the value of buses when sometimes few people are seen aboard. This is our response.

Full response in our stories.

10/12/2026

It's not too late to register for Saturday's conference! https://growsmartri.org/main-street-together-2026

Not sure you belong? If you live in RI and care about your Main Street or commercial corridor, you should join us. Here's a hint of what you have to look forward to:

-- A keynote you’ll enjoy. Sarah O’Brien, 20 years in downtown revitalization, gets candid and funny about trust, turf, and getting people to believe in their place.
-- Practical sessions on housing, walkability, redevelopment districts, and local finance, for newcomers and veterans alike.
-- Imagine a Beloved Economy in an interactive workshop with Local Return.
-- Lunch included by Hope & Main, with an optional tour of their shared commercial kitchens.
-- Walking tours of Warren, from its historic sites to its independent businesses.
-- Cheer on the inaugural RI Main Street Learning Cohort at their graduation.
-- Stay for the after party at Porta Via, with appetizers provided thanks to our sponsors.

REGISTER TODAY! https://growsmartri.org/main-street-together-2026

10/12/2026

It's not too late to register for Saturday's conference!

Not sure you belong? If you live in RI and care about your Main Street or commercial corridor, you should join us. Here's a hint of what you have to look forward to:

A keynote you’ll enjoy. Sarah O’Brien, 20 years in downtown revitalization, gets candid and funny about trust, turf, and getting people to believe in their place.

Practical sessions on housing, walkability, redevelopment districts, and local finance, for newcomers and veterans alike.

Imagine a Beloved Economy in an interactive workshop with Local Return.

Lunch from Hope & Main, with a tour of their shared commercial kitchens.

Walking tours of Warren, from its historic sites to its independent businesses.

Cheer on the inaugural RI Main Street Learning Cohort at their graduation.

Stay for the after party at Porta Via, with appetizers provided thanks to our sponsors. 

REGISTER TODAY. Link in Bio.

10/06/2026

Do you see possibility on your Main Street? Need inspiration, or help turning ideas into action? Whether you're a resident, a business owner, or a town planner, Main Street Together on Oct. 17 in Warren is for you. Lunch is included. Hope to see you there!

ACCESS TO EARLY BIRD TICKETS ENDS THIS WEDNESDAY
https://growsmartri.org/main-street-together-2026/

10/02/2026

Did you hear the recent episode of Bartholomewtown, "How Do The Gov Candidates Stack Up on Transit?" featuring our very own Scott Wolf? It's a good listen. Bill asks the tough questions and Scott breaks down the real answers.

FULL CONVERSATION HERE: https://btown.buzzsprout.com/163601/follow

10/01/2026

Join us at our conference for community leaders across Rhode Island committed to building vibrant Main Streets:

Saturday, Oct. 17 , 8:30am to 5:00pm
Historic Warren Armory
11 Jefferson St, Warren RI

STILL TIME FOR EARLY BIRD TICKETS! REGISTER TODAY! https://growsmartri.org/main-street-together-2026/

Come prepared for a riveting keynote from a seasoned Main Street leader, topical breakout sessions, tours of downtown Warren, and opportunities to meet colleagues working to build vibrant, successful Main Streets across RI.

09/29/2026

The rain finally stopped. Get out there and WALK! https://growsmartri.org/walk-rhode-island/

When fall rolls around, walking programs are back in town! Between the RI Land Trust Council Land Trust Days and AARP RHODE ISLAND Walktober events there's no shortage of walks to take across the state. To celebrate our favorite time of year we've put together a new comprehensive resource page on walks across the state all year round, Walk Rhode Island. Lace up your sneakers, find your walk and GO!