Welcome to the Blackstone Valley Institute's Web site. Sponsored by the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission and its many partners, the Institute is a "virtual" organization created to help local communities plan for the future. Offering workshops, one-to-one consulting, local seminars, and technical assistance, the Institute promotes information sharing within the Corridor with a goal of preserving the unique history and character of the Blackstone Valley.

The Valley landscape we experience today was shaped slowly over 10,000 years of human habitation and development. That evolution continues today, but the pace and quality of recent growth threatens the natural and built landscapes that have come to define this heritage corridor. The Institute seeks to involve local officials, the development community, resource protection advocates, business owners, and residents in an on-going dialogue focused on best practices in land use management and heritage corridor planning.

This Web site is one way by which the Institute shares information about common issues of interest to Blackstone River Valley communities. Developed with the assistance of local leaders, the site concentrates on current topics being discussed in and around the Valley and will respond to the changing needs of its constituents. By profiling selected examples of projects, bylaws and ordinances, and other relevant documents, we hope to raise awareness of how neighboring communities are working to revitalize their downtowns, renew riverfronts, protect open spaces, care for historic resources, and plan for their future through regional collaboration.

We hope that your tour through this site will spark conversations and inspire you to share your knowledge and experiences with others. Please let us know what you think. We look forward to hearing from you.

You can contact the Institute by email or by phone at 401.762.0250.