[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1865-E1866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY HERITAGE CORRIDOR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to offer 
my full support for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage 
Corridor which is being reauthorized by the House.
  The legislation today expands the size and scope of the Blackstone 
River Valley National Heritage Corridor to four new communities which 
share the historical and environmental history of the 20 cities and 
towns already located within the existing corridor boundaries. The 
reason for this expansion is simple. The program is extremely 
successful and will bring economic revitalization, as well as expand a 
growing sense of pride, to thousands of people in Rhode Island and 
Massachusetts. The new areas also add to the wholeness of the valley, 
encompassing critical watershed lands and historical connections, like 
Burrillville's well-preserved mill villages and Smithfield's apple 
orchards.
  Authorized as a National Heritage area in 1986, the corridor has 
successfully served as a national model for economic revitalization 
through historic preservation. The program took on national 
significance because of its unique ability to capture and preserve many 
of the 18th and19th century industrial innovations which have developed 
along the Blackstone River.
  In fact, it was along this river that the widespread industrial use 
of water power in the United States was first developed at Samuel 
Slater's Mill in Pawtucket in 1790. The mil, which still stands today, 
has become an icon of the American Industrial Revolution and a main 
point of attraction for visitors to the Blackstone Valley. To be sure, 
it was in the Blackstone River Valley that America began its 
transformation from an agrarian to industrialized nation.
  Unfortunately, with many of the manufacturing mills long gone, the 
region has had to readjust its economic focus. The establishment of the 
Heritage Corridor has served as a primary force behind the 
redevelopment of a region faced with hard economic times. By building 
on the historic qualities and vast natural resources of the Blackstone 
Valley, the National Heritage Corridor has inspired the

[[Page E1866]]

growth of many industries like recreation and tourism.
  In my own State of Rhode Island, the Blackstone Valley generates 
about 10 percent of our $1.47 billion tourism industry through projects 
like park improvements, riverboating, nature preserves, and the 
visitation of historical sites. This figure becomes even more profound 
when we consider that the tourism in the valley is growing at 11 
percent a year, making travel and tourism the second fastest growing 
industry in Rhode Island.
  The successes of the Heritage Corridor, however, are not limited to 
just tourism. The rebirth of the region has reduced unemployment in 
1982 from 14 percent to just over 6 percent in 1995. This has been a 
direct result of the role that small business have played. In response 
to many of the economic development projects along the corridor, Main 
Street businesses are retooling, and other ventures, like hotels and 
restaurants, have become a part of the economic rebirth in the 
Blackstone Valley.
  Ultimately, the effectiveness of the National Heritage Corridor can 
be traced to a successful public-private relationship. Through the help 
of the Blackstone Corridor Commission, a partnership between Federal, 
State and local agencies, along with the private sector, has worked 
together to fund a variety of projects in the corridor.
  In many cases every Federal dollar spent is matched by one or more 
dollars of privately raised funds. Of particular note is the Blackstone 
Valley Explorer, a 49-passenger riverboat which was constructed in 1993 
with funds raised from local corporations, communities, private 
citizens and the National Park Service. To date, the Explorer has shown 
the recover of the valley to more than 43,000 passengers and had a 
direct economic impact of more than $1 million. That represents a 28-
to-1 return on the Federal Government's investment.
  In all, the corridor, which covers 46 miles of land from Worcester, 
MA, to Providence, RI, is a prime example of what a federally sponsored 
program should represent. The additional funds that we are requesting 
will be used to reauthorize the Corridor Commission for an additional 
10 years and expand the park's boundaries from 250,000 to 400,000 
acres. All of these funds will be matched by non-federal dollars.
  I want to thank all the members of the House Resources for their 
commitment to our national heritage areas and their hard work on this 
bill. It has also been may honor to work with the members of the 
Interior Appropriations Subcommittee who demonstrated their support for 
the Blackstone during this years appropriations process.

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