Providence, RI In the two years since the last Power of Place Summit, Rhode Island has turned some important corners. The state’s economy is on the rebound, the real estate market is performing better and knee-jerk negativity about Rhode Island’s future prospects, though still far too prevalent, is diminishing, according to Scott Wolf, executive director of Grow Smart RI.
Still, Rhode Island has significant untapped potential and that’s why Grow Smart RI convenes leading thinkers and doers to collaborate and capitalize on the state’s many strengths to improve quality of life and economic opportunity.
The biennial Power of Place Summit, held on June 21st, brought together a large and diverse group of Rhode Island business and civic leaders, real estate professionals, investors, planners, architects and community stakeholders to network and share best practices in community development that’s a win for business and a win for the community.
The day long event featured a keynote presentation by Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Realtor.com. Last December, Realtor.com named Metro Providence the #1 real estate market to watch in 2016, ahead of booming markets, such as San Diego, New Orleans, Charlotte and even Boston. Smoke discussed the impact of the millennial generation on real estate trends and predicted continued upward movement on Rhode Island’s real estate market, particularly in the multifamily category of housing. Smoke’s presentation can be downloaded from the Summit page at www.GrowSmartRI.org.
There were fourteen workshop panels throughout the day with nearly 70 speakers covering a range of community development topics including the status and performance of Rhode Island’s new economic development incentives and tools, the options for how best to rebuild the 6/10 corridor, how Rhode Island communities can become more resilient in the face of increasing sea level rise and lessons learned from revitalization successes in several smaller northeastern cities, including Lancaster, Penn., New Britain, Conn. and Attleboro, Mass.
Seven awards were presented for Outstanding Smart Growth Leaders, Projects and Policies that are moving Rhode Island in a positive direction when it comes to tapping more of the state’s potential, playing to its strengths, enhancing economic opportunity and improving quality of life. This year’s awards went to Neighborworks Blackstone River Valley, The Providence Foundation, The Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway, The Foundry Corporate Office Center & Promenade Apartments, the Providence Community Health Centers, Tiverton Public Library and the City of Woonsocket.