Council approves application to Rhode Island Main Street cohort, names recommended cohort roster

The council voted Nov. 24 to authorize South Kingstown to apply for a Rhode Island Main Street cohort and to pay a reduced Main Street America membership fee if the town is selected.

Staff framed the program as a training and capacity-building opportunity for local Main Street organizations and said it would require six full-day sessions between January and June, with three weekend days. “It's 6 days of commitment, 3 during the week, 3 on the weekend,” a staff presenter said when describing time requirements.

Why it matters: The program would bring training and planning tools to Wakefield and other village centers; staff said past local investments (façade programs and Main Street infrastructure) align with the Main Street approach and recommended a mixed cohort roster representing economic development, the Wakefield Business Association, the Chamber and residents.

Staff provided a proposed roster drawn from community volunteers and local organizations (Kirk Brown as point person, Joe Veil of the Chamber, Sarah Breslin, Jackie French, Karen De Silva and Josh Daley). They also described reduced membership: Main Street America’s listed $295 fee would be reduced to $150 if the town is selected.

Council discussion focused on who should serve, staff involvement versus pure volunteer membership, and how the committee would be balanced for representation, including women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Council approved the application and the staff-recommended nominees as part of a motion and vote.

What’s next: Staff will submit the application (deadline Dec. 1) and publish the cohort membership and any program materials once selection is confirmed.

Quotes: On timing and commitment, staff said, “The application is due December 1, so we will work on that, the, the rest of this week as well as tomorrow.”