Groundbreaking Community Learning Center

Original Post from November 2025

Newport and Middletown proudly welcomed Governor Dan McKee this week for the ceremonial groundbreaking of a $7.5M renovation at our shared Community Learning Center (CLC) inside the Florence Gray Center. Funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars through the Rhode Island Pandemic Recovery Office, this project showcases the remarkable resilience of our communities, overcoming numerous changes in political and administrative leadership since its initial approval in 2023.

For those with experience, managing federal grants is both essential and challenging. Every detail is subject to careful scrutiny, and reporting lapses can mean extra oversight. That’s why I’m incredibly proud of our Departments of Finance & Support Services and Resilience & Sustainability, who along with myself all joined this project midstream. Together, we transformed a stagnating effort—one that risked the entire project—into a success through collaboration and unwavering commitment.

Special gratitude goes to the Newport Housing Authority and the CLC tenants, who are graciously sacrificing their spaces for a year to make these improvements possible. This investment will bring exciting opportunities and, admittedly, some tactical challenges. Led by our anchor, the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, the center also hosts East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP), Turning Around Ministries, FabNewport, Newport Health Equity Zone, and the Women’s Resource Center. Collectively, these vital organizations deliver youth programs, adult education, workforce development, health services, and much more—all closely aligned with the Governor’s Learn365RI initiative.

It will be a long year as these groups operate out of borrowed spaces, but with $7.5 million in improvements coming, our communities have every reason to be excited about the future of local services.

Newport and Middletown—truly great communities to be a part of!