Community Development

In addition to the annual / ongoing events, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has been at the forefront of planning and development projects, attractions and promotional projects, and activities.

◀︎ BACK TO OVERVIEW OF OUR WORK

Stylized text 'BVTC 40' on abstract background

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council’s success has been due in part to recognizing the need to go beyond exclusively promoting the Blackstone Valley. In addition to general marketing and promotion, we have created and operated many events and attractions to attract visitors, and development projects and programs to build a stronger regional economy and quality of life that would encourage people to live and work here.

Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful

We are the Rhode Island affiliate to Keep America Beautiful. Our program focuses on annual environmental cleanups, recycling education and beautification projects throughout the Blackstone Valley as well as other cleanups and environmental activities.

Aerial view of a winding road through a forest with trees displaying autumn colors.

Supported creation of and promotes continued development of the Blackstone River Bikeway and continues to support completion of the project, including connection to other statewide and Massachusetts bike paths.

Blackstone River Bike Path Development

Cyclist in motion on a riverside bike path with a city skyline in the background.

Created and supports statewide network to advocate for continuous bike path throughout the state.

Paths to Progress RI

Aerial view of a canoe with two people paddling through a lush, green aquatic landscape with floating plants and dense foliage on one side.

Supported early efforts and promotes continued cleanup of the Blackstone River and other effected waterways.

Water Chestnut Cleanups

Stone bridge over calm river surrounded by lush green trees and plants.

Created a park that celebrates chocolate manufacturing in Central Falls including a canoe and boat launch.

Chocolate Mill Overlook

Aerial view of a historic yellow mill building with a bell tower near a river and waterfall, surrounded by trees.

Blackstone Valley and Amber Valley Compact

Created and supports the twinning of Blackstone Valley with the Amber Valley in England and Pawtucket with Belper, England.

Historical buildings in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, near a river with a small waterfall and cloudy sky.

Supported successful legislation to create National Park status in several portions of the Blackstone Valley and supports and advocates for its future growth.

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

Metal sculpture of a man on horseback in a public park

Developed a monument commemorating the founder of the Blackstone Valley and City of Boston, Reverend William Blackstone.

Blackstone Monument

Bronze dog statue on stone pedestal with nearby informational sign, surrounded by plants and tree, in front of a brick building and parked white car.

Hachiko Monument

Promotes the movie and relations between the United States and Japanese cultures.

Three display panels on a brick wall at the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, featuring 2014 inductees Duke Robillard, Paul Gonsalves, and Cheryl Wheeler, with images and text describing their contributions to music.

Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame

Assisted with the creation of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

Aerial view of a street with buildings, a person crossing, and a bus stop with a red shelter.

Created and provided administrative support for the regional planning project with the municipalities of Central Falls, Cumberland, and Pawtucket to develop cooperative solutions to some of the issues plaguing Broad Street. The transformation of the Broad Street corridor reached substantial completion in August 2023. VIEW Broad Street Regeneration Initiative 2.0 Overview; VIEW Broad Street Initiative Action Plan.

Broad Street Regeneration Initiative

Cherry Blossom Program

Since 2009, over a hundred cherry trees have been planted along Roosevelt Avenue that blossom each spring.