Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - September 25, 2020

HOT

Some Good News in Central Falls

The Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation, which oversees the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility, announced that it has agreed to make a contribution of $50,000 to fund renovations and upgrades to the Macomber Stadium sports complex and playing fields.

Central Falls has been hammered by the coronavirus.

“When I became Chairman of the Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation’s Board of Directors in October 2019, I pledged to improve the working relationship between the facility, our bondholders, and our host community of Central Falls,” said Board Chairman James Lombardi III.

“After several rounds of positive dialogue between all parties, including with our majority bondholder, Invesco, the Board of Directors is pleased to make this $50,000 contribution towards such a worthy project for the residents of Central Falls. While much work remains, I believe this is another example of our collaborative work to restructure the Wyatt so that it is on sound financial footing, is responsive to our community, and remains an economic generator for Central Falls and the State of Rhode Island.”

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100,000 Masks - And More

Bank of America is donating 100,000 face masks to local schools around Providence, and another 46,000 masks to a half-dozen Rhode Island non-profits that work with vulnerable and underserved communities hardest hit by the coronavirus.

“The health and safety of our community remains a top priority during this health and humanitarian crisis,” said Bill Hatfield, Market President for Bank of America in Rhode Island.

“One of the ways we can have an impact is by working with local partners to identify and distribute PPE masks to the most vulnerable populations, such as neighborhoods with low-to-moderate income families unable to acquire proper masks, our schools and organizations serving these communities," he added. 

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Twin Eagles

Last Saturday was a double Eagle Court of Honor for Johnston twins Christopher and Cameron Forte.

The Bishop Hendricken seniors completed their Boy Scout careers as members of Troop 1 North Scituate.

Christopher’s Eagle Project was an elaborate wooden cabinet used as a student rewards center for Gladstone Street School in Cranston. Former School Principal Susan Cicilline Buonanno was on hand to thank Christopher and present both scouts with a citation from her brother Congressman David Cicilline who could not attend due to his duties in Washington.

Cameron’s’ Eagle Project was two handicapped picnic benches for the community park in North Scituate. The brothers received citations from the Scituate Town Council. The Eagle Scouts thanked their boss at the Bonnet Shores Beach Club, Facilities Director Michael Boscia for helping in the construction of their projects.

Citations were also provided by the Offices of President Trump, Senators Reed and Whitehouse, Congressman Langevin, Governor Raimondo, Chief Justice Paul Suttell, and the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and Administrative Judge Stephen Capineri and the Rhode Island Family Court.

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#TakeItOutside

The Raimondo administration's campaign to encourage Rhode Islanders and businesses to stay outdoors for as long as possible this fall and winter is smart on so many levels.

It will help to minimize the spread of the coronavirus and it will help folks be more active and healthy.

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Funding for Innovators

Two Rhode Island organizations have received a total of $597,500 in grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s 2020 Build to Scale Capital Challenge.  

Slater Technology Fund received $300,000 of the federal grant to partner with Brown University on a new initiative to boost healthcare-related technology startups. 

RI Bio won a $297,500 grant to launch a program aimed at commercializing and expanding life science startup activity in Rhode Island.

The EDA’s Capital Challenge is designed to increase access to capital in communities where risk capital is in short supply.  Funding from the Capital Challenge may be used to provide operational support for the formation, launch, or scale of investment funds that seek to invest capital in scalable startups.

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Cam Newton

The new Patriots quarterback Cam Newton may be the most valuable player in the league for the dollar.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement that was reached earlier this year, players with seven or more years of experience will have a minimum salary of $1.05 million in 2020. Newton was given only $550,000 guaranteed at signing.

If he hits all his incentives, he will be paid $7.5 million.

There are 57 quarterbacks who will make more than his minimum.

There are 28 who will make more than his maximum.

Tom Brady is paid $25 million by Tampa.

All data from The Sporting News.

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Sold Out

T.F. Green Airport and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC)  announced that their free drive-in movie for the community this week sold out. 

The film “Linda Ronstadt, The Sound of my Voice,” which was presented in conjunction with newportFILM, proves a little creativity goes a long way.

Octoberyfestish In PVD

Get ready beer lovers. Oktoberfest in Munich may be canceled this year, but something special is brewing in Providence.

"BIG NEWS! We are opening a beer garden in PVD for the next 6 weeks. It will be located in the awesome PVD Innovation District Park (next to the new pedestrian bridge)," said Jeremy Duffy, one of the founders of The Guild brewery in Pawtucket.

"Beer will be flowing with places to [sit] and with some of your favorite food trucks. Follow @guildPVD on Instagram or Facebook for more details. #ownthefall," Duffy added.

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Take Your Association and Shove It

It sounds like the Teamsters are more than a little tired of Michael Sabitoni and the Building Trades Union.

The Teamsters in a letter sent this week charged that Sabatoni's Laborers are taking work that should be awarded to the Teamsters.

"Due to continued jurisdictional encroachment by the Laborers on Teamster work, particularly with the exclusive relationship of the Laborers with Barletta Engineering, and the unwillingness and/or inability of the RI Building Trades Council to address jurisdictional disputes; Teamsters Local 251 sees no further need or use to be part of such an organization," wrote Teamsters' Secretary-Treasurer Matt Taibi. 

"Teamsters Local 251 will not provide any more dues or donations to these respective organizations, no participated in any form. Please remove any and all insignia, names or any other pubic displays associating the Teamsters with either organization," added Taibi.

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Utility of the Future

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC), along with sixty-four other clean water utilities worldwide, has been recognized as a Utility of the Future (UOTF) for transformational initiatives in the clean water sector. The UOTF designation recognizes "utilities for recovering resources from wastewater, leading community engagement, forming unique partnerships, and building an internal culture of innovation."

The Utility of the Future Today program was launched in 2016 by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Research Foundation (WRF) and the WateReuse Association, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“This agency has made great strides for Narragansett Bay and our urban rivers,” said NBC Chairman Vincent Mesolella. “Narragansett Bay is cleaner than it has been in 150 years. Our shellfishermen have access to thousands of additional acres of grounds. NBC generates 80 percent of our own energy through renewable sources and we operate award-winning community and education programs. Thanks to an engaged and committed Board and a staff of environmental professionals, the NBC truly is embracing the future today.”