A N N U A L R E P O R T

A STRONGER RI O U R S T R O N G E S T Y E A R Y E T

G R O W S M A R T R I

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S U S T A I N A B L E

T R A N S P O R T A T I O N

R E V I T A L I Z E D

A G R I C U L T U R E

U R B A N

P R E S E R V I N G

T O W N C E N T E R S

F A R M S & F O R E S T S

Our MissionGrow Smart RI provides statewide leadership for diverse public and private interests seeking sustainable and equitable economic growth.

We promote such growth by advocating for

compact development in revitalized urban,

town, and village centers balanced with

responsible stewardship of our region’s

natural assets – farmland, forests, the

coastline, and the Bay.

We inform leaders, decision makers,

and concerned citizens about the many

benefits of compact development and asset

stewardship and provide research and

training on proven smart growth strategies.

We convene broad coalitions that advocate

policy reforms and specific projects

designed to build communities where all

people and businesses can thrive.

2016Annual Report

Table of ContentsOur Supporters.............................................6

Introduction..................................................7

Sustainable Economic Development..........8

Transportation.............................................11

Agriculture, Food Systems, & Forestry.......12

Communications.........................................13

Finances......................................................15

Revitalized Urban & Town Centers.............10

2016 WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A STRONG BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Grow Smart RIOne Empire Street, Suite 523Providence, RI 02903401-273-5711

William AshworthWilliam BaldwinDaniel A. BaudouinSamueal J. BradnerKenneth BurnettJohn ChambersGib ConoverJen CookkeTrudy CoxeDennis L. DiPreteTravis EscobarMaia FarishMichael L. FriedmanGlenn GardinerJohn P. HartleyJunior Jabbie

Jason E. KellyXaykham KhamsyvoravongJane. S. LongGail E. McCannCharles PageDonald W. PowersJohn A. RuppRichard SchartnerLucie G. SearlePamela SherrillJulia Anne M. SlomBarbara van BeurenGeorge Watson IIIBrad R. WeissmanMartha L. Werenfels

Arnold “Buff” ChaceLouise Durfee Esq.Wilfrid L. Gates. Jr.Michael S. HudnerStanley J. KanterMichael F. RyanDeming E. ShermanW. Edward Wood

Howard M. KilgussBoard Chair

Scott WolfExecutive Director

Board of Directors Directors Emeritus

A special thanks to all of our supporters who made 2016 a stronger year.

3SIX0 Architecutre1772 Foundation, Inc.A4 Architecture & PlanningAARPAAA NortheastAB Munore DairyAdler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.APA Rhode IslandAmaral Revite CorporationArmory Management CompanyBankNewportBankRIBank of AmericaBETA Group, Inc.Birchwood Design GroupBlackstone Management/FH FrenchBlackstone Studios LLCBrewster Thornton GroupButler & Messier, Inc.Capital PropertiesCavanagh CompanyCherrytree Group LLCChex Finer FoodsCollette FoundationCommerce RICornish AssociatesCox CommunicationsCV PropertiesDeepwater WindDimeo Properties, Inc.DiPrete Engineering Associates, Inc.Durkee Brown Viveiros WerenfelsE. W. Burman, Inc.FHLB BostonFM Global FoundationFoundry Development CorporationFreedom National BankFuller Mill Realty LLCFuss & O’Neill Inc.Gray & PapeGreenvale VineyardsGZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.Haynes De Boer Associates

Hinckley AllenHorsley Witten GroupInternational Council of Shopping CentersLerner Ladds & Bartels, Inc.LISC-RILocke Lord, LLPMetLife Auto & HomeMG CommercialMoran ShippingMulligan’s Island Inc.National GridNation Wide ConstructionNelson/Nygaard ConsultingNewport Architectural ForumNewport Harbor CorporationNortheast Collaborative Architects, LLCNortek, Inc.Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc.O’Hearne AssociatesOne Financial Center Plaza, LLCPaolino PropertiesPare CorporationPartridge Snow & Hahn, LLPPeregrine Group LLCPicerne Investment CorporationPRISMProperty Advisory GroupProvidence Performing Arts CenterProvPort Inc.Quonset Development CorporationRhode Island Assoc. of RealtorsRI Council for the HumanitiesRobinson & Cole, LLPRobinson Green Beretta CorporationRockland TrustSansiveri, Kimball & Co, LLPTeknor Apex CompanyThe Home Loan FoundationThe Nature ConservancyThe Pawtucket FoundationThe Providence FoundationThe Providence Real Estate Guy (Jim DeRentis)

The Washington Trust CompanyTrinity Financial, Inc.Truth Box Inc.Union Studio ArchitectureUnited HealthcareUrban Smart Growth LLCWaterson Terminal ServicesWebster Bank, N.A.Vanasse, Hangen Brustlin, Inc.Vision 3 Architects

Brown UniversityRoger Williams UniversityUniversity of Rhode Island

James Michael AbbottTom AbbottEdgar George AdamsRichard P. AdamsWilliam AshworthPeter ArpinPaul AttemanGregory & Jane AustinMelissa BaggaWilliam BaldwinHolly BannisterJohn J. Barry IIIDaniel BaudouinGussie Baxt Oliver & Martha BennettErin BoggsCourtney BournsLaurel BowermanSamuel & Kris BradnerDavid BrownJames P. Brown, IIIJeffrey A. Brown & Barbara HorovitzNicholas BrownSheila & Richard BrushDesa Devore Buffum & James BuffumRod BurkettKenneth BurnettEric BuschGeorge CaldowNicholas & Julia CalifanoSteve CaminisRonald J. CanigliaRoger CarlstenJohn & Letitia Carter (The Carter Family Charitable Trust)Michael CassidyRobert & Marjorie CatanzaroDennis DiPreteWendy Nicholas DorseyDr. & Mrs Robert DucoffSteven DylagMary EddyChristine EngustianPaul EnoBarnaby EvansThe Norman & Rosalie Fain FundMaia & Donald FarishStephen & Suzanne FarrellMary FasanoLaurence FieldBarbra FieldsJohn FlahertyRonald Lee FlemingAlan S. & Renee L. FlinkLinton & Bonita FluckKatherine FlynnPatricia FontesSally & Stephen FortlouisFred J. FranklinCarl FreedmanSteven & Linn FreedmanMichael FriedmanKaren GagerAnne GailbraithGlenn & Kristie GardinerDonald R. & Margaret-Ann Gardner

Joe GarlickLauren GarzoneWilfrid L. Gates Jr.Anna GizzarelliBrian GoldbergSpencer GrassieCaitlin GreeleyJanice GreenwoodSeth HandyStuart HardySusan HarrimanJohn & Paula HartleyPete HayesNancy HessBlanche HigginsBarry & Kathleen HittnerPeter A. HollmannChris HunterJunior JabbieCharlotte JohnsonGeorge JohnsonBrian & Judy JonesDavid Karoff & Barbara HungerDouglas KallfelzJason E. KellyNathan KellyKen KenersonMargaret KerrXay KhamsyvoravongHoward & Kate KilgussMeg KilpatrickAlbert KlybergBrian KortzAnne Berkelhammer KrauseChristian J. LaddsMarie LangloisCynthia Langlykke (The Margaret P. Langlykke Fund)Richard & Judith LappinFrank LaTorreWilliam C. LawrenceRoger LeafDan LevinsonStephen & Diana LewinsteinSarah LewisElizabeth LynnGarrett S. MancieriGeoffrey & Margaret MarchantChristopher MarsellaJohn E. Marshall, IIILindsay McallisterGail E. McCann & Stanley LukasiewzMary McClurePeter McClure & Phoebe BlakeJohn & Sara McConnellNorman McCulloch (McAdams Charitable Foundation)Dr. & Mrs. Charles J. McDonaldMary McDonaldMary MeagherScott & Susan MillarArthur & Martha MilotDavid Scott MolloyMilton & Rona NachbarDr. Patricia A. NolanPatricia Noonan

John & Michele O’BrienJosh O’NeillHerbert PellWilliam PennLillian Shuey PicchioneKirk PickellJames PisanoDonald PowersJan C. & Anna PragerH. Lebaron PrestonAmy RainoneLisa RaiolaJennifer RaittWilliam & Joan RauchB. Michael Rauh, Jr.Michael RiceDerwent Jean RidingMarcia S. RiesmanDavid Scott RileyRebecca RileyRobert RocchioClayton A. RockefellarVictoria RogersArthur RomeFrank RomeoIgor RungeJohn & Sherry RuppKathryn RyanEleanor SassoRichard & Nancy SchartnerLucie G. SearleHenry & Peggy Sharpe (Sharpe Family Foundation)Deming & Jane ShermanPamela Morey SherrillDavid SholemJulia Anne & Peter SlomEvelyn SmithBarbara SokoloffArthur SpivackTom SproulRobert StolzmanTeresa TanziAndrew TeitzHuw K. ThomasWilliam TraceyMelissa TravisTodd TurcotteLorraine VincentJoseph WanatGeorge WatsonRobin & Brian WeberJane WeidmanBrad WeissmanJohn WelchMartha WerenfelsC. Martha & Lee R. WhitakerScott Wolf & Joyce Krabach (Ruth & W. Irving Wolf, Jr. Family Fund)W. Edward Wood and Linda Wood (Brightman Hill Charitable Foundation)Virginia Wright & Michael GillArthur WymanMelvin Zurier

Henry P. Kendall FoundationPrince Charitable TrustsRhode Island FoundationThe van Beuren Charitable Foundation

Interlocal Risk Management TrustRhode Island Department of HealthRhode Island Division of Planning/ Statewide Planning ProgramRhode Island HousingRIPTA

Providence Preservation SocietyThe Preservation Society of Newport County

Corporate Sponsors

Universities

Individual Contributors

Foundation

Government

Non-Profit Organizations

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2016 was marked

by a continued economic rebound statewide and

decisiveness in making smart investments that

strengthen Rhode Island. These investments – public

and private – together with key policy reforms, are

helping to further revitalize our urban and town centers,

conserve farm, forestland and other natural resources

and leverage our many outstanding assets.

Residents showed their confidence in investing prudently

in RI with resounding support of several public bond

measures in 2016, designed to expand the green

economy and housing production, while improving

port infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Governor and state

lawmakers united and took a bold and courageous step

this year in addressing our state’s long-neglected and

essential transportation infrastructure. Despite organized

and vocal opposition, state leaders approved a plan to

join several other states in tolling heavy trucks to fix the

state’s worst-in-the-nation bridges and roadways.

Throughout 2016, Grow Smart RI has been there with

its trusted research, analysis, education and advocacy.

Through our award-winning communications, everyday

Rhode Islanders are increasingly seeing how smart

growth positively impacts their quality of life.

With support from many individuals,

corporations, philanthropic foundations and

nonprofit partners, Grow Smart RI continued

in 2016 to do what it does best – bring

together people of varied interests, along

with elected officials, in finding common

ground and innovations that strengthen

Rhode Island and improve the lives of those

who call it home.

A Letter from Scott Wolf

Improving Lives by Strengthening Communities

Scott WolfExecutive DirectorGrow Smart RI

In order to more fully

leverage regional and

national trends toward

urban siting locations, we

established a Corporate

Siting Working Group to

better understand siting

factors and to recommend

policies that improve RI’s

competitiveness to retain

and attract business

investment and the talent

they seek.

We were successful,

in conjunction with

others, in persuading

the Raimondo

Administration to reform

the Rebuild RI Tax Credit

program to make it

more user- friendly and

impactful.

Addressing Barriers to Private Investment Where It Does The Most

Good

IncentiveReform

Sustainable Economic Development

SmartInvestments

Grow Smart RI helped to

shape and/or promote for

smart growth-oriented Bond

Measures to invest in RI’s

future — The Green Economy

Bond, the Housing Opportunity

Bond, the Ports Infrastructure

Investment Bond and a Higher

Education Bond that includes

$20 million earmarked for

development of one or more

“Innovation Campuses”.

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Revitalized Urban & Town Centers

Through close collaboration with the Rhode Island Builders Association

and legislative leaders, we laid the groundwork for a targeted

infrastructure enhancement program for RI’s municipalities — similar to

a successful program in Massachusetts called Mass Works.

As a leader of a statewide pro-Historic Tax Credit coalition,

we played a major role in keeping the State Historic Tax Credit

program going by securing legislation to delay its planned June

30, 2016 sunset.

11Through a grant by the Dept. of

Health, we significantly advanced The

Complete Streets approach to road

design that focuses on making streets

safe, accessible and inviting for all

users, including pedestrians, bicyclists,

motorists, and transit riders of all ages

and abilities.

Transportation

Major progress was made in a longstanding effort to persuade the Raimondo

Administration to initiate the development of a Mass Transit Vision and

Master Plan critical to making Rhode Island more competitive for retaining

and attracting young talent, as well as the employers that seek them.

Working closely with the Raimondo and Elorza Administrations in

addition to a grassroots coalition, we played a leadership role in

developing a neighborhood and economic development friendly

plan to redevelop the Route 6/10 Connector.

The Future of Mass Transit

Walkable/Bikeable Communities

Influencing Decisions with Lasting Impacts

Retaining Historic Tax Credit as a Key Incentive for Urban and Town Center Revitalization

Education and Capacity Building for Stronger Communities

Researching What’s Working in Other States

We presented more than a

dozen workshops, events

and trainings.

We reached more

than 300 people

from more than two

dozen municipalities

about best practices

in community

revitalization, building

a stronger public

transportation system

and natural resource

conservation.

Safeguarding Natural Resources

We received approval in late 2016 from the Providence Water

Supply Board for a major, multi-year grant proposal developed

by Scott Millar to provide extensive technical assistance on land

use issues for the Scituate Reservoir communities of Foster,

Glocester and Scituate.

Agriculture, Food Systems and Forestry

2.

3.

Preserving Farms and Forests

Our new program of Community

Technical Assistance, under

the leadership of Scott Millar,

moved into high gear with

extensive assistance provided to

Middletown and Exeter in how

to develop more farm and forest

friendly land use regulations.

Strengthening Rhode Island Agricutlure

We successfully advocated

with a variety of other groups

for renewed state funding of

the widely acclaimed Local

Agriculture and Seafood Act that

provides technical assistance to

farmers and fishers.

1. Grow Smart RI is proud to have earned a “Best Practice in

Communications” Award from the Rhode Island Foundation and

Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI on May 10, 2016.

The #ShareCommunity digital campaign focuses on Rhode

Island’s strengths and uses the power of social media and video

storytelling to highlight these strengths and celebrate community

development and placemaking successes.

With record sponsorship from corporations, foundations and state

agencies, Grow Smart RI brought together nearly 500 thinkers and

doers for its biennial Power of Place Summit on June 21, 2016. In

addition to showcasing best practices in revitalization strategies,

the Summit attracts a wide variety of community interests to

network, learn and spark collaborations.

Bringing Together Community Stakeholders and Development Professionals

Communications that resonate and inspire.

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JOIN THEMOVEMENT

Thanks to our supporters, we’ve helped communities across Rhode Island build on their strengths.

Together, we’re continuing on our path towards sustained economic development and quality of place.

Help us expand and accelerate this momentum in 2017.Grow Smart RI is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

THREE WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE:Online:www.growsmartri.org1.

2.3.

By Mail:One Empire Street, Suite 523Providence, RI 02903

By Phone:401-273-5711 ext. 105

Financial Report2016

SUPPORT AND REVUENUE

ASSETS

EXPENSES

Contributions / Grants $463,040

Cash $58,127

PROGRAM SERVICES

SUPPORTING SERVICES

TOTAL EXPENSES $665,220

Receievables / Pre-paid Expenses $56,576

Public Policy and Project Review $93,995

Property / Equipment $4,247

Outreach and Communications $102,937

TOTAL ASSETS $118,950

Education $178,709

Technical Assistance $54,127

Administrative & General $107,163

Fundraising $128,289

Change in Net Assets + $30,871

Earned Income $37,682

Other Income / In-Kind $31,607

Net Assets Released from Restriction $163,762

TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE $696,091

LIABILITES

NET ASSETS

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $30,049

Unrestricted $6,384

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

Temporarily Restricted

Based on 2016 Audit by Mullen Scorpio Cerilli

$68,853

$118,950

$75,237TOTAL NET ASSETS

Bank Line of Credit $13,664

$43,713TOTAL LIABILITES

15Thanks to the generosity of Roger

Williams University, Grow Smart RI

moved into a very attractive and

functional, rent free space in the

heart of Downtown Providence on

September 15, 2016.

A NEW HOME

A STRONGER RIO U R S T R O N G E S T

Y E A R Y E T

GrowSmartRI.org

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