Encompassing two states and 24 communities, the Blackstone River Valley is dynamic and vibrant with extensive natural resources, scenic beauty, and economic opportunities. This combination of attributes has attracted people to the area for centuries, creating a rich cultural heritage. Today, development pressures from the north, south, and east are threatening the very qualities that make the region appealing. The challenge for these communities is to promote growth in a way that protects resources and enhances quality of life, while protecting the natural beauty and unique features of the region.

United by designation of the Blackstone River Valley as a National Heritage Corridor, these Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities have begun looking to regional planning efforts to address complex issues of natural resource management, transportation systems, and land use patterns. This regional cooperation is occurring at both the local and state level and involves partners from civic, government, and business organizations.