NEWPORT — The City of Newport has been awarded a $3 million grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission to replace aging water and sewer infrastructure and launch major streetscape improvements along Main Street, officials announced June 15.
The award represents the maximum grant amount NBRC can provide.
“This is a transformational moment for Newport,” Mayor Rick Ufford-Chase said. “These upgrades are absolutely necessary, and accomplishing those improvements through a grant means we expect to complete them without placing the financial burden on local taxpayers. It’s a huge win for our residents and for our future.”
The project will modernize critical underground utilities, improve safety and reliability for residents and businesses, and support development outlined in the city’s Downtown Master Plan, which the City Council approved in December 2024.
Ufford-Chase said the award would not have happened without eighteen months of behind-the-scenes effort by local volunteers and council members who worked to build relationships with advocates across the state.
The grant marks the first visible step in implementing that master plan, which outlines a vision for new housing, business growth, and a more walkable downtown.
Rick Woodward, a commercial building owner who has operated on Main Street for 25 years, welcomed the news.
“Sewer challenges outside our building have been a significant and expensive problem throughout my tenure here,” Woodward said. “This project is primarily an effort to prepare Main Street for new development, but it will make a big difference to the businesses already doing business here as well.”
Council Member Sharon Parè also expressed support for the investment.
“As a longtime resident, I’m grateful that Newport can finally move forward with this needed work,” Parè said. “This is a clear indication of the city’s commitment to keep such costs from falling on the people who live here.”
Chris Saunders, federal co-chair of NBRC, said the commission was proud to partner in locally driven economic development across the Northern Border region.
“These investments help improve the day-to-day lives of the people living in our communities,” Saunders said.
Construction plans will begin immediately. The city expects to begin physical construction in 2027. Community updates will be provided throughout the process.
