What A Time To
Be … Smarter
Climate change. The need for social, racial, and economic justice.
Post-Covid restructuring and recovery. Tough times call for urgent, collective action.
Out of Love For Our Home State
Grow Smart RI is committed to helping improve the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders. Improving quality of life by improving neighborhoods and communities. We’re working “behind the scenes” conducting research and analysis, advocating and raising public awareness, developing policy and convening networks and partnerships working toward a stronger, healthier and just Rhode Island.
Our Future Depends on You
Without our statewide and local partners and supporters, our work isn’t possible. Join the smart growth movement today and help make our neighborhoods healthier and more resilient, opportunity-rich, and sustainable for everybody, everywhere.
Making Rhode Island
A Better Place
A place where sustainable growth and development benefits all, and not just the few.
Sparking New Energy and Vitality
Into Our Neighborhoods
We believe that revitalization breeds opportunities. We’re advocating for plans, policies, and projects that revitalize our town and city centers and make our transit system more robust. Along the way, economic development is always top of mind.
All While Protecting What Makes
Rhode Island … Rhode Island
There’s no place like home. Our built and natural assets help make Rhode Island a unique place. And that’s exactly why we’re committed to providing local and statewide support for policies and projects that not only preserve, but capitalize on what we have.
We’re In It
For the Big Wins
To address our state’s immediate challenges, we have our sights focused on three targets: revitalizing main streets and downtowns, expanding and enhancing transportation choices, and reforming land-use and economic development policies and practices.
Grow Smart RI Commentary:
RIPTA isn’t broken, it’s chronically underfunded
Did you know that RI has a bold vision and Master Plan for making transit work better for all who rely on it?
Download a helpful guide to becoming an effective transit advocate
2022 Power of Place Summit:
Inspiring keynote presentations. Invigorating panel discussions. Insights from experts. Engaging breakout sessions and workshops. And not to mention, our annual awards program honoring and celebrating smart growth champions.
Grow Smart RI’s cornerstone, biennial event took place in-person on June 21, 2022. View the Summit Recap »
Introducing: Main Street RI
We have a brand new, grassroots initiative to provide support, coordination, communication, and capacity-building. It’s all aimed towards energizing our Main Streets — including its downtowns, corridors, and small businesses.
And you’re invited to be a part of it.
Smart Growth is All Around Us
Not yet a firm believer in smart growth? See for yourself how Rhode Islanders are applying smart growth to improving quality of life for all.
Representative June S. Speakman
Despite being a State Representative for only three years, June Speakman has emerged quickly as a highly influential legislator and a champion for a variety of Grow Smart’s RI’s priorities, ranging from Affordable Housing and the State Historic Tax Credit to Solar Siting Reform, Forest Conservation, and changing State Transportation priorities to advance the goals of the Act on Climate.
Hammetts Wharf Redevelopment Project, Newport
The 60,000 square foot Hammetts Wharf Project is part of a broader mixed-use development along Newport Harbor including several restaurants, an events venue and marina serving residents and visitors to Downtown Newport.
Zoning Amendments for Equitable Development, Newport North End, Newport
On May 11, 2022, a resident-led effort earned the unanimous support of the Newport City Council for amendments to the zoning ordinance advancing equity in the development of the city’s Innovation District, a mixed-use 50+ acre technology hub in the city’s North End neighborhood.
Grow Smart RI’s Mission Statement
To lead and engage Rhode Islanders in advancing neighborhood revitalization, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity for all.
Our Mailing Address
P.O. Box 3
Providence, RI 02901