Governor McKee, Rhode Island Commerce, and Division of Statewide Planning Kick-Off Ready, Set, Rhody Initiative

What this means

A factual summary is pending editorial review. The complete official release is reproduced below with issuer attribution and a direct link to the original publication.

Official release

Source material from Rhode Island Executive Office of Commerce. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Governor McKee, Rhode Island Commerce, and Division of Statewide Planning Kick-Off Ready, Set, Rhody Initiative

Published on Thursday, February 27, 2025

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. – Today, Governor McKee and Rhode Island Commerce announced the selection of Fuss & O’Neill to assist in the development of vulnerability assessments and remediation plans for commercial areas most vulnerable to severe weather events, coastal erosion, and floods.

Under Ready, Set, Rhody, Fuss & O’Neill will work with Rhode Island Commerce and the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning to provide targeted infrastructure vulnerability assessments to municipalities, including high-level information on specific “hot spots” of vulnerability and ways to increase resilience for vulnerable business districts in their communities.

“As a former mayor and business owner, I’m committed to working with our state’s municipalities and business districts to increase community resiliency. By working together, we can ensure that our state is prepared for and protected against the effects of extreme weather, which directly affect our local economy,” said Governor Dan McKee.

“Ready, Set, Rhody is about making sure Rhode Island’s business districts have the tools and expertise they need to assess risks and take action,” said Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner. “By helping them plan ahead, we pave the way for stronger, more resilient local economies.”

“The work implemented by Fuss & O’Neill will be a giant step forward to ensure our vibrant Main Streets remain vital areas of commerce in the face of growing climate challenges,” said Meredith Brady, Associate Director at the Division of Statewide Planning. “The proactive work we are doing at the Division of Planning with our partners at RI Commerce and under the leadership of Governor McKee will help Rhode Island small businesses weather the impact of extreme storms.”

Fuss & O’Neill was selected, following a competitive bid process, due to their extensive experience in flood resilience planning, design, and construction services for municipalities, state agencies, and regional organizations. Fuss & O’Neill has offices in Providence and has authored a number of state and local stormwater manuals, including the RIDOT Linear Stormwater Manual.

“As a company dedicated to improving both the built and natural environments, Fuss & O’Neill is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Rhode Island Commerce, the Division of Statewide Planning, and municipalities on this initiative,” said Alex Maxwell, PhD, CCP Senior Environmental Planner from Fuss & O’Neill. “We look forward to a collaborative process and to working closely with municipal planning departments to ensure that they can adapt and thrive.”

Ready, Set, Rhody is funded by the State of Rhode Island and competitive grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. For more information, go to CommerceRI.com.

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Date

Thu, 02/27/2025 - 16:24

Release text attributed to Rhode Island Executive Office of Commerce. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.