Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 48

Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan
In addition to healthcare and academia, social services are not just an important part of Newport’s economy, they are
part of the community’s culture of caring. One notable operation is the James L. Maher Center. The Maher Center’s
mission is to:
“…foster independence and opportunities, promote dignity and advance integration in housing, employment
and social engagement for individuals with developmental or other disabilities through customized programs
in order to meet their diversified needs.”
Beginning in 1953 with only 13 families, the Maher now supports over 300 families in Newport and Bristol Counties,
operates 11 group homes, 12 apartments and provides over 2,000 rides every week for program participants. The
Maher now employs 571 persons.
Finally, the City of Newport, including the School Department, is also one of the largest institutional employers in
Newport, providing approximately 661 jobs in a variety of occupations.

Hospitality and Visitor Industry
In recent years, Newport has experienced steady growth in
all tourism-related services including, hotels, restaurants,
retail goods, museums, galleries and recreational services.
In 2014, the Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, and
Accommodation and Food Services Industry had 2,607
employees in Newport, comprising a total 20.8% of the
workforce.

Large conferences and
conventions often bypass
Newport because hotels are not
large enough to accommodate
significant gatherings. This
impacts the hospitality industry
and the overall tourism industry.

The strength of the hospitality and visitor industry has
helped fuel the expansion of land development. This can be seen along America's Cup Avenue, Thames Street, and
Spring Street, as well as Bowen's and Bannister's wharves, plus commercial areas of Bellevue Avenue and Memorial
Boulevard. This expansion has significantly boosted the local property tax base and employment opportunities within
Newport.
Meeting-facilities for conference needs downtown are met
by the Newport’s five major hotels: Viking, Chanler,
Marriott, Harbor Hotel, and Hyatt. However, because of
space limitations, Newport hotels cannot accommodate
both meeting and exhibition spaces for larger groups.

Although tourism in Newport is
seasonal; it is one of the most
relied upon industries in
Newport’s economy.

The tourism industry is vital to Newport’s economy, with the multiplier effect creating thousands of jobs and
generating outside revenue for the community, but Newport's tourism is largely seasonal, peaking in the summer. As
a result, the local chamber and Newport County Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCCVB) are working towards
marketing efforts to increase visitor activity during the winter and "shoulder" seasons. As Newport’s tourism industry
continues to mature, the net effect has resulted in the reduction of the traditional marine uses on the waterfront.
Also of note is the fact that, although Newport is home to many national and international hospitality interests, it also
benefits from many local enterprises as well. One of these, the Newport Harbor Corporation (NHC), had its
beginnings in the local fuel oil distribution business. In 1980 the company opened the Newport Yachting Center and
in 1985, sold the fuel oil business to concentrate on hospitality. Today, the NHC owns and operates a number of local
venues, including the Castle Hill I nn and employs over 700 people. NHC has also created and sustains various “green”
initiatives, including support for renewable energy projects, use of locally grown products where possible, donation of
used cooking oil to Newport Biodiesel, potable water conservation and other worthy efforts.

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Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016)