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!

 

 

 

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The Labor Day travel rush is underway. According to Triple-A, drivers who left before noon today were likely to beat the heaviest traffic heading to their holiday destinations. Saturday between 6 and 10 a.m., Sunday before 11 a.m. and Monday before noon are other suggested travel windows. Meanwhile, the TSA says it will screen more than 17 million people over the period.        The White House plans to cut billions in foreign aid funding. On Thursday, President Trump moved to cut four-point-nine-billion-dollars in foreign aid through a seldom-used budgetary tactic dubbed "pocket rescissions." It is a maneuver where the president attempts to cancel funding in a window of time when Congress is in recess.        Rain from the Southwest to the Southeast may throw a wrench in the Labor Day weekend. Flash Flood Warnings had been put in place in areas of Louisiana and Mississippi earlier today. Parts of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Alabama also face the biggest threat of large amounts of rainfall.        The next showdown over President Trump's immigration crackdown is likely to happen in Chicago. Multiple reports say ICE is planning expanded operations as soon as next week, much like the ones recently carried out in Los Angeles. FOX News reports that just like in Los Angeles, the White House is prepping contingency plans to send in the National Guard if any ICE protests get out of hand.        Kyle Schwarber made history Thursday night. The Phillies slugger set the franchise record with nine runs batted in after going four for six with four home runs in Philadelphia's 19-4 win over the Atlanta Braves. Schwarber is the fourth player in franchise history to hit four home runs in a single game. It's the 21st time in major league history any player has had a four-homer game.        The summer box office is winding down. Zach Cregger's "Weapons" is looking to get back on top with a projected 14-point-three million dollars over the four-day holiday weekend. Disney's "Freakier Friday" is projected to take in eleven-point-four-million dollars followed by new release "The Roses." The Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman comedy could bring in as much as 10-million dollars. "Kpop Demon Hunters A Sing-Along Event" is expected to draw younger crowds after last weekend's limited released.