Woonsocket Radio News Room

Hello Team Rhode Island,



The latest numbers are in. Here in Rhode Island, jobs increased by 3,300, marking the largest over-the-month gain since May 2023. Plus, our labor force has increased by 16,200 since September 2023.

But that's not the only good news. This month, we secured a major federal grant to help rebuild the Washington Bridge, expanded access to behavioral health services across the state and launched a first-of-its-kind telehealth partnership to support students' mental health.

Check out what we've been up to!

Sincerely,

$220.9 Million in Federal Grants Secured for Washington Bridge as Demolition Resumes, Bidding Process Launched for Rebuild Project

Governor McKee visits Washington Bridge site as demolition work resumes.

Rhode Island received a $95.5 million INFRA Grant to help rebuild the Washington Bridge, bringing the total amount of federal grants secured for this project to $220.9 million. This award follows a strong advocacy effort led by the McKee Administration in partnership with our congressional delegation.

Bridge demolition resumed on October 15 and the removal of the bridge substructure has been moved up to ensure a more timely and efficient continuity of work. Rhode Island has also launched a new bidding process to find qualified companies to rebuild the bridge.

Healthy Minds, Healthy Students

Rhode Island is committed to improving student outcomes, and it starts with ensuring their health and well-being.

In partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Education and Hazel Health, we've launched a new partnership to expand access to comprehensive, virtual mental health services to students across the state.

Rhode Island is now on track to become the first state on the East Coast to launch a statewide telehealth initiative of this kind.

New Jobs, More Innovation Coming to Quonset

REGENT is expanding its operations in the Ocean State and that means J-O-B-S.

The Quonset-based company will lease a new 255,000-square-foot building and create at least 300 jobs over the next 10 years while continuing to manufacture their all electric seaglider technology.

This expansion will strengthen Rhode Island’s position as a leader in innovative and green transportation solutions.

New Name, New Investments

New investments are coming to Rhode Restore—the new name for our Municipal Road Grant Program that is benefitting all 39 cities and towns.

In the program's first year, our $20 million investment resulted in $74 million in road repairs throughout the state. We've funded more than 800 projects, nearly 600 miles of improved road lanes, and 129,000 linear feet of upgraded sidewalks.

Now, we're giving the program a $7 million boost.

More than 80 percent of Rhode Island roads are municipal, not state roads. Investments like Rhode Restore have helped Rhode Island jump 12 points in infrastructure rankings.

Improving Health Outcomes

Rhode Island recently launched eight Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).

These clinics are available in several communities spanning the entire state. Rhode Island was one of 10 states selected to participate in the recent cohort of the federal CCBHC Demonstration Program. ​

CCBHCs offer many types of behavioral health services including:

·     24/7 mobile crisis response year-round

·     Screening, diagnosis, and risk assessment​

·     Outpatient mental health and substance use services​ 

·     Community-based mental health care for veterans​ 

·     Peer family support and counselor services​

Check out our latest RI Replay!