Valley Alliance for Smart Growth

At A Glance

Contact: 

Caroly Shumway

Location: 

North Smithfield, Rhode Island

Primary Issue Area:

  • Land & Water

Active since:

2005

Grants Received In:

  • 2009
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2005

Core volunteers:

7

Community Size:

11,545

Our Purpose

to pursue responsible development that balances economic growth with the protection of our rural landscape, historic culture, and quality of life.

Summary of Projects

Valley Alliance for Smart Growth received a grant in 2009 to change behaviors and help develop sustainable communities through a Buy Local First Initiative.

This grant was awarded some time ago and the details haven't been uploaded to our online system. If you'd like to learn more, contact us (info@grassrootsfund.org) and we'll fill in the blanks.

This grant was awarded some time ago and the details haven't been uploaded to our online system. If you'd like to learn more, contact us (info@grassrootsfund.org) and we'll fill in the blanks.

In 2005 the Valley Alliance for Smart Growth (VASG) received funding to launch a multifaceted campaign to educate local officials and citizens about smart growth options to counter a 138-acre big box shopping center proposal on undeveloped land at the edge of North Smithfield situated on a major watershed. The group utilized the grant funds to cover copying and postage expenses for large-scale mailings, for sending development impact reports to local officials and developing a website. The group, thanks to outreach efforts, grew it's support base from 20 individuals to 750 and 111 local businesses in a year. In it prevented a Municipal Development Zone (MED) from taking affect on the portion of the site located in the neighboring town of Woonsocket, and were able to prevent the retail portion of the project that was proposed at the Woonsocket site cutting it by 30 acres (36%). The group recommended changes to North Smithfield's Town Plan, many which were adopted by the Town Council.

This grant was awarded some time ago and the details haven't been uploaded to our online system. If you'd like to learn more, contact us (info@grassrootsfund.org) and we'll fill in the blanks.

Helpful Resources

  • Conservation Law Foundation

    Since 1966, Conservation Law Foundation has used the law, science, policymaking, and the business market to find pragmatic, innovative solutions to New England’s toughest environmental problems.

  • Sprawl Busters

    Sprawl-Busters Consultants help local community coalitions on-site to design and implement successful campaigns against megastores and other undesirable large-scale developments.