Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 46

Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Notably, employment gains were accomplished in key sectors, including professional, scientific and management, as
well as in manufacturing. These jobs typically pay higher wages and provide better benefits than for instance,
hospitality jobs. In addition, they are not typically seasonal positions. These two factors combine to extend greater
economic benefits (per position) over a longer period of time, resulting in higher multipliers and more stability.
Compared to the state as a whole, Newport’s strength in the tourism industry is evident. As shown in Table 4-3
below, nearly 11% of the state’s population is in the arts and entertainment sector. By comparison, this sector
represents nearly 21% in the City of Newport. The strength of the tourism industry is important to Newport as it
directly relates to increased revenues through sales tax from outside sources. The City of Newport also enjoy a larger
percentage of their workforce in the professional, scientific, and management sector as compared to the state. This
sector comprises 13.3% of Newport’s workforce compared to 9.7% for the state as a whole.
Table 4-3 - State of Rhode Island Employment by Industry Sector 2014
2014 Count

2014 Percent of
Workforce

Educational services, and health care and social assistance

138,299

27.0%

Arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services

55,894

10.9%

Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management
services

49,411

9.7%

Manufacturing

56,078

11.0%

Industry Sector

Source: 2010 & 2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

There are several employers that make a major
State occupational demand
contribution to the full-time employment base in the
projections indicate that
community. These include Newport Hospital, the Newport
demand will continue to grow
Harbor Corporation (owners/operators of several city
for workers in many healthrestaurants and lodging venues), the James L. Maher
related occupations, including
Center, the City of Newport, and Salve Regina University.
medical laboratory and
However, as noted in Table 4-4 below, the economy of
radiology technologists,
Newport, and that of Newport County as a whole, is very
laboratory and pharmacy
reliant upon the defense industry. As of 2014, the single
assisting, and practical nursing.
largest employer in Newport County is the U.S. Navy with
4,500 civilian employees. The activities at Naval Station
Newport (NAVSTAN) provide a mix of job opportunities for civilians as well as for military personnel. In 2013, it was
estimated that fully 73% of the civilian workforce at Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) was employed in
Science, Technology, and Math (STEM) occupations. Individual annual wages are estimated at $110,000. Very
clearly, the importance of this facility to the region and to Newport cannot be understated.

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Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016)