AGENDA

If you’re new to “Main Street,” come discover what it’s all about! Since it was invented in 1980, Main Street America’s “4 Points” approach to commercial district revitalization has been proven to be effective, with an average ROI around $24:$1. Learn how the framework can be used in your community.

SPEAKER:

Evelyn McKenney, Programs & Operations Associate, Grow Smart RI

For those of you who already know about the 4 Points, come join a deeper dive discussion into how local Main Street efforts can be organized and funded. There are many different ways to do this, and there are many groups that already exist in RI. We’ll talk about different strategies to expand the Main Street approach with our municipalities, merchants, and neighbors’ groups and also explore different ways to think about funding the things we want to accomplish in our districts.

SPEAKER: Jillian Finkle, Director, Main Street RI

What would a Beloved Economy look like in Rhode Island? How would we ensure that every person’s needs were met? How would it feel to live in such a place? What would be our relationships to each other? How would our main streets and neighborhoods change? In this interactive workshop, participants will be imagining and designing their own Beloved Economy, because we cannot create what we cannot imagine. 

SPEAKER: 
Jessica David, President & Co-Founder, Local Return

Meet in front of the George Hail Library at 11:00 AM

The smallest town in the smallest county in the smallest state has an outsized amount of interesting stories from its history. Visit several historic sites around downtown Warren with a local historian from the Warren Preservation Society who will highlight some of the events, buildings and people that have contributed to making Warren a special place. 

GUIDE: Davison Bolster

NOTE: This session will actually start at 12:45PM at Hope & Main, 691 Main Street, a 10-minute walk from the Methodist Church where box lunches can be picked up. Plan on eating your lunch at Hope & Main where you’ll also tour the facilities and engage in deep discussion. 

Discuss all things related to our local economy with two of the co-founders of Local Return! Bring your lunch and eat with us at Hope & Main’s Warren location, tour their shared commercial kitchens, and learn how they provide diverse food entrepreneurs with resources, technical training, and local markets to launch and scale their businesses. Then dive into the realities of running a small Main Street business and explore how real estate ownership can help with business sustainability and also serve as a community wealth building strategy.

SPEAKERS:
Josh Daly, Co-Founder, Local Return
Lisa Raiola, President and Founder, Hope & Main 

By definition, a successful Main Street district needs to be “walkable.” To be successfully walkable, the urbanist Jeff Speck (author of “Walkable City”) describes how walking needs to be useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting. Hear about different projects around RI that are improving the pedestrian experience and encouraging walking.

SPEAKERS:

Sara Breslin, Wakefield Village Association: “Ditch the Keys: Everything You Need is Right Here”

Dylan Giles, PVD Streets Coalition: “Staying Alive: Keeping People Safe through Tactical Urbanism”

Holly Snyder, AARP RI: “Sidewalk Stories: Uncovering the Good, the Bad, and the Bumpy”

Caroline Stevens, Grow Smart RI and Jane’s Walk RI: “History & Culture at 3 MPH: Experiencing Main Street at Eye-Level”

MODERATOR: Jill Davidson, Providence City Council

Main Street districts are sensible and attractive locations for creating more of the housing that Rhode Island needs. Warren’s Health Equity Zone has made housing one of its priority issues, and Neighbors Welcome RI is leading statewide advocacy for more homes. Learn about what’s happening at the state and local levels, how you can get involved, and how Main Streets – both old and new – can be part of the solution!  

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Read, Warren HEZ Director, East Bay Community Action
Kris Brown, Executive Director, Neighbors Welcome! Rhode Island

One way local governments can encourage investment in specific areas is through the creation of a redevelopment district. In this session, you’ll learn how they can encourage economic activity from local experts who’ve successfully created and used them in Rhode Island.

SPEAKERS:

Bianca Policastro, Planning Director, Town of Warren
Peter Friedrichs, Esq., AICP, Land Use Attorney and Co-founder, Libra Planners
Jeanne Boyle, Planning Consultant

Meet in front of the Warren Public Library at 1:30 PM

Warren is home to so many interesting, independent businesses! Get an inside and up close look at some of the businesses from Main Street to Water Street, and learn how Discover Warren promotes their district through its events, website, maps, and other activities.

GUIDE: Keri Cronin, Discover Warren