Stakeholder Involvement, Culture and Accountability in the Blackstone Valley: A Work in Progress Dr. Robert Billington, Veronica Cadoppi, Natalie Carter BEST Education Network Think Tank VI: Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Tourism Girona, Spain June 2006 Robert Billington, Ed. D, PresidentBlackstone Valley Tourism Council Inc.Blackstone Valley Visitor Center...on the banks of the Blackstone River175 Main StreetPawtucket, Rhode Island, 02860, USA Tourblackstone.comAll Blackstone All The TimeServing Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor with sustainable, Geotourism programs that support residents and enhance the character, environment, culture, heritage, aesthetics, history and business of the Valley.Blackstone Valley - Telling a Real American Story! The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is the state-designated tourism planning and development agency for Central Falls, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester, Rhode Island. StaffOffice Manager: Amanda Wood - Manager: Natalie Carter - & Public Relations: Olon Reeder - Manager: Donna Houle - Coordinator: Patti McAlpine - Analyst: Lilly Kayamba - Assistant: Lesley McLaughlin - and Educator: Gordon Beeton - Center Manager: Wendy Jenks - Planner: Veronica Cadoppi - the Valley Beautiful : Kristin Zawitowski - and programsAmber Valley-Blackstone Valley CompactBV Scenic Railway ToursBV RiverclassroomBV Visitor Center RI Chinese Dragon Boat - Taiwan Day FestivalSustainable Tourism LabM/V Blackstone Valley ExplorerM/V Samuel SlaterM/V Spirit of the BlackstoneHeritage Golf TournamentTravel Experiences ExpoBV Tourism NetworkBlackstone Valley Lifestyle Inc Blackstone Valley State Park Visitor CenterMission: BlackstoneRobert Billington, Ed. D, PresidentBlackstone Valley Tourism Council Inc.Blackstone Valley Visitor Center...on the banks of the Blackstone River175 Main StreetPawtucket, Rhode Island, 02860, USA Tourblackstone.comAll Blackstone All The TimeServing Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor with sustainable, Geotourism programs that support residents and enhance the character, environment, culture, heritage, aesthetics, history and business of the Valley.Blackstone Valley - Telling a Real American Story! The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is the state-designated tourism planning and development agency for Central Falls, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester, Rhode Island. StaffOffice Manager: Amanda Wood - Manager: Natalie Carter - & Public Relations: Olon Reeder - Manager: Donna Houle - Coordinator: Patti McAlpine - Analyst: Lilly Kayamba - Assistant: Lesley McLaughlin - and Educator: Gordon Beeton - Center Manager: Wendy Jenks - Planner: Veronica Cadoppi - the Valley Beautiful : Kristin Zawitowski - and programsAmber Valley-Blackstone Valley CompactBV Scenic Railway ToursBV RiverclassroomBV Visitor Center RI Chinese Dragon Boat - Taiwan Day FestivalSustainable Tourism LabM/V Blackstone Valley ExplorerM/V Samuel SlaterM/V Spirit of the BlackstoneHeritage Golf TournamentTravel Experiences ExpoBV Tourism NetworkBlackstone Valley Lifestyle Inc Blackstone Valley State Park Visitor CenterMission: Blackstone Robert Billington, Ed. D, PresidentBlackstone Valley Tourism Council Inc.Blackstone Valley Visitor Center...on the banks of the Blackstone River175 Main StreetPawtucket, Rhode Island, 02860, USA Tourblackstone.comAll Blackstone All The TimeServing Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor with sustainable, Geotourism programs that support residents and enhance the character, environment, culture, heritage, aesthetics, history and business of the Valley.Blackstone Valley - Telling a Real American Story! The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is the state-designated tourism planning and development agency for Central Falls, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester, Rhode Island. StaffOffice Manager: Amanda Wood - Manager: Natalie Carter - & Public Relations: Olon Reeder - Manager: Donna Houle - Coordinator: Patti McAlpine - Analyst: Lilly Kayamba - Assistant: Lesley McLaughlin - and Educator: Gordon Beeton - Center Manager: Wendy Jenks - Planner: Veronica Cadoppi - the Valley Beautiful : Kristin Zawitowski - and programsAmber Valley-Blackstone Valley CompactBV Scenic Railway ToursBV RiverclassroomBV Visitor Center RI Chinese Dragon Boat - Taiwan Day FestivalSustainable Tourism LabM/V Blackstone Valley ExplorerM/V Samuel SlaterM/V Spirit of the BlackstoneHeritage Golf TournamentTravel Experiences ExpoBV Tourism NetworkBlackstone Valley Lifestyle Inc Blackstone Valley State Park Visitor CenterMission: BlackstoneRobert Billington, Ed. D, PresidentBlackstone Valley Tourism Council Inc.Blackstone Valley Visitor Center...on the banks of the Blackstone River175 Main StreetPawtucket, Rhode Island, 02860, USA Tourblackstone.comAll Blackstone All The TimeServing Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor with sustainable, Geotourism programs that support residents and enhance the character, environment, culture, heritage, aesthetics, history and business of the Valley.Blackstone Valley - Telling a Real American Story! The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is the state-designated tourism planning and development agency for Central Falls, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester, Rhode Island. StaffOffice Manager: Amanda Wood - Manager: Natalie Carter - & Public Relations: Olon Reeder - Manager: Donna Houle - Coordinator: Patti McAlpine - Analyst: Lilly Kayamba - Assistant: Lesley McLaughlin - and Educator: Gordon Beeton - Center Manager: Wendy Jenks - Planner: Veronica Cadoppi - the Valley Beautiful : Kristin Zawitowski - and programsAmber Valley-Blackstone Valley CompactBV Scenic Railway ToursBV RiverclassroomBV Visitor Center RI Chinese Dragon Boat - Taiwan Day FestivalSustainable Tourism LabM/V Blackstone Valley ExplorerM/V Samuel SlaterM/V Spirit of the BlackstoneHeritage Golf TournamentTravel Experiences ExpoBV Tourism NetworkBlackstone Valley Lifestyle Inc Blackstone Valley State Park Visitor CenterMission: Blackstone

“The Blackstone River…has carried enormous waves of prosperity, hope and the dreams of generations. It has also seen disappointment and despair as its waters carried away the textile industry to other shores. But today, that has all changed thanks to the marvelous restoration and reclamation projects” (J. Reed, US Senator, April, 12, 2006). America’s first industrialized and polluted landscape Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development Laboratory Blackstone Valley Tourism Council continues to serve as catalyst for sustainable tourism and social responsibility

Located in New England, the northeast of the United States 500,000 people, 24 communities, 454 square mile watershed Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution First industrialized and polluted river in North America Millions of immigrants came in search of the American dream 46-mile long Blackstone River Overview

The importance of the Blackstone River: its power and energy Attracted over 1,000 textile mills 150 years of economic growth 1930’s: beginning of disinvestment 1980’s: high unemployment, empty factories and homes, decline in resident’s morale, and a heavily polluted river

From a need to survive: leadership, corporate responsibility, and a vision that tourism could regenerate the Blackstone Valley US Congress established the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission in 1986 This Commission was designed to support, protect and celebrate the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution

After almost 40 years of economic, environmental, socio-cultural and historical degradation, thoughtful tourism development emerged in the Blackstone Valley to transform it into an interesting place to live, work and visit Today the Blackstone Valley is a viable destination and represents sustainable tourism development principles

Samuel Slater “Father of American Manufacturing” and the American Industrial Revolution Historic Background

Slater was able to reproduce what he had used as an apprentice in England, giving birth to the America's Industrial Revolution; and with it, the sense of corporate responsibility

For thousands of years the pristine waters of the Blackstone River were home to Atlantic Salmon, Shad, and Alewives The Nipmuck, Wampanoag and Narragansett Indians migrated along the banks of the Blackstone River European settlers built villages along the river and used its waters for living, fishing and powering gristmills

While encouraging economic growth, the textile industry had severe damaging impacts on the environment Industry built 45 dams along the Blackstone Reaching for financial growth, they disregarded the sustainability of the region and the health of the River This could be viewed as Corporate Irresponsibility, in reality no one knew they were polluting the Blackstone

Corporate Social Responsibility created a way of living never seen before in America Private enterprises were growing as vehicles for economic development

The Blackstone Valley needed a way out of high unemployment, abandoned mills, and a deteriorating quality of life No tourism materials included the Blackstone Valley as a destination Policy-makers were indifferent to the difficulties of the Valley Corporate social responsibility was a priority emerging from within the community

1970’s - sustainable development began to emerge The creation of Earth day, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the US Clean Water Act emerged Project ZAP turned out 10,000 residents, corporate and government leaders, to clean-up the Blackstone River Rhode Island created a linear park along the Blackstone’s banks in the 1980’s Rhode Island and Massachusetts would have to collaborate: clean the river before developing public recreational land

The Federal Act provides that a top-down management framework from the federal government is not necessary It gave local leaders a way to assist in preservation and protection of the lands and to encourage economic development, while maintaining and enhancing the character of the Valley: its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of residents It is based on leadership from above and below

A tourism planning strategy began with the incorporation of the not-for- profit organization Rhode Island designated the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council as the regional tourism development agency for the Blackstone Valley The Council initiated an innovative tourism development vision in 1985 The Council was responsible for tourism development and planning for Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Glocester and Burrillville

The Valley was to create a framework to encourage and promote socially responsible practices among corporations, residents and communities. The Blackstone River Valley Heritage Corridor Commission encouraged residents and businesses to act responsibly and to prioritize a long-term return on investment Building a sense of social responsibility among residents was essential in order to regenerate the Valley

US Congressman, Kennedy, in April of 2006 stated, “the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has worked to inspire private and public investment, and renewed sense of pride in the Blackstone Valley”

David Stein, Principal Partner of RE: Investments, Inc, a redeveloper of historic real estate, noted that the Council built and maintains widespread support for its vision from every constituent and stakeholder of the community including residents, regulators, politicians, the National Park Service, environmental organizations, colleges and universities, as well as the business community The real estate firm was first drawn to the Blackstone Valley because of its rich history and abundance of magnificently crafted mill buildings poised for adaptive reuse. “We stayed to work in the Blackstone Valley largely because of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

The Council is first among organizations, in the public and private sectors, dedicated to strengthening Valley communities and to fostering economic growth. I attribute my company's success directly to the extraordinary work and accomplishments of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

Many of the Blackstone’s mills and mill villages are being restored and converted into housing or sophisticated office and retail space. The city of Woonsocket led the effort to preserve its history and the culture of the Valley by developing a museum to give tribute to the immigrant groups who shaped the lifestyle of the Valley

From the beginning the corporate sector played a key role in financing the innovative place making initiatives Since 1993, the Tourism Council has carried nearly 300,000 people on the riverboat Blackstone Valley Explorer In 2000, a British-built canal boat, was imported to serve as Rhode Island’s first floating B&B In 2001, the first Double Decker bus was brought to the Valley through corporate donations

Events like the Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Race and Taiwan Day Festival collaborate with city and state governments, private developers, local residents to develop an impressive riverfront event with international entertainment The local Chamber of Commerce notes, “because of the pride instilled by the Council, the business community has stepped up to contribute”

Elderhostel, study groups, and communities have used the Blackstone Valley as a classroom Regional educational institutions, such as Johnson & Wales University, Holy Cross College, Clark University, Brown University, Bryant University and University of Rhode Island include the Blackstone Valley as part of their curriculum

Private investments have taken place $4 million in the American Heritage office building $4 million in the Green & Daniels Mills to condos $35 million to build the Pawtucket Riverfront Lofts $40 million to transform the Ashton Mill to lofts $1 million to develop Narragansett Knitting to condominiums $200 million to transform Ocean State Steel into housing, offices and retail space

The Council’s bottom lines of interest: Heritage development Social improvement Infrastructure development Education improvements Cultural sharing Economic development

Economic impacts of tourism are of interest to practitioners A study for 2004 by the Travel Industry Association of America showed: 12% business visitation 48% visitors stayed overnight $474.4 million was spent on transportation, lodging, food, entertainment and recreation, and incidentals Tourism generated 6,400 jobs, $124.6 million in wages and salary income and $39.6 million in tax revenue.

“The Valley has come back to life, with new generations living along its banks and a river that is cleaner and more usable everyday. It is certainly a destination and hopefully becoming one of growing international recognition” (US Senator Reed, April, 2006)

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY There is a need to design thoughtful tourism planning and development strategies Effective tourism planning in a community eludes many of today's destination management organizations In the interest of being socially responsible, the Council has created the Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development Laboratory

The Laboratory will prepare practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary to build and shape a successful sustainable tourism destination The purpose is to introduce the concept of planned sustainable tourism to local, regional, state, provincial and national tourism organization leaders and their stakeholders Each Laboratory experience is presented over a five-day period An essential outcome is the creation of a Tourism Development Plan to guide the participating community’s sustainable tourism efforts

Instructional materials are mined from the World Tourism Organization, Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel, National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Tourism, and other recognized best- practice tourism planning and development organizations Join us, learn how to get there

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