🌱 Patch AM: Why Smithfield banned data centers before one ever broke ground

Hello Smithfield! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Smithfield banned data centers before one ever broke ground
• How new solar canopies will transform Audubon's Smithfield headquarters

Also on today's calendar: Join Rock Voices, the community choir that ONLY sings rock music! and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What are the two favorite words for a shark to hear? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Downpours; breezy in the a.m., with a high of 65 and low of 58 degrees.
• Monday: Rain, temps: high: 61, low: 53.
• Tuesday: An a.m. shower; mostly cloudy, with a high of 66 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Rhode Island Energy Rates and AI Data Centers: The Record (upriseri.com) — Smithfield has already moved to block large data centers, amending its zoning to ban them townwide after a potential business-park tenant floated a 20–100 megawatt facility. The article explains how this local decision fits into Rhode Island's broader debate over rising electric rates, stalled legislation that would make big data centers pay their own grid costs, and what upcoming winter rate hikes could mean for households.
   

• RI Audubon goes solar in bid to eliminate fossil fuels (newportri.com) — Audubon Society of Rhode Island is adding a major solar canopy at its Smithfield headquarters, aiming to offset all of its electricity use and move toward true-zero emissions. Heat pumps and battery storage are already in place at the Smithfield building, and upcoming solar arrays in both Smithfield and Bristol will help cut fossil fuel use, save money, and free more funds for wildlife protection.
   

📸 Around Smithfield

Subscribe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Smithfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday September 28
• Join Rock Voices, the community choir that ONLY sings rock music! →
  Second Congregational Church, 50 Park St, Attleboro
  7:00 pm
• Join Rock Voices, the community choir that ONLY sings rock music! →
  Community Church of Providence, 372 Wayland Ave, Providence
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday September 29
• Boys & Girls Cross Country Varsity Lincoln, N. Burrillville HS, N
  Chase Farm, 667 Great Rd, Lincoln
  4:00 pm
• Girls Field Hockey Varsity Smithfield vs. Toll Gate at Home
  Smithfield Senior High School Smithfield, RI 02917
  5:00 pm
• Boys Soccer JV/ Varsity N. Providence vs. Smithfield at N. Providen
  North Providence High School, 1828 Mineral Spring Ave, North Pro
  6:30 pm
• Girls Soccer JV/ Varsity Mt. Hope vs. Smithfield at Roger Williams
  Roger Williams University Turf Field
  7:15 pm
Saturday October 3
• Kenny VS Spenny Live In Providence RI →
  The Last Resort Restaurant and Bar, 325 Farnum Pike, Smithfield
  8:00 pm
Tuesday October 6
• In Person - Small Business Networking Night →
  1005 Douglas Pike, Smithfield
  6:00 pm
Thursday October 8
• First Time Home Buyer Seminar →
  1005 Douglas Pike, Smithfield
  5:30 pm
Sunday October 11
• Powerful Plants in the Garden →
  Audubon Society's Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd, Smithfield
  1:00 pm

📣 Smithfield Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday September 27
• Birding Walk with Audubon Society of Rhode Island →
  Blackstone River State Park, 1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln
  2:30 pm
Monday September 28
• Probate Court →
  Lincoln, RI Calendar Lincoln, RI 02865
  8:45 am
• Harmony Café – Manville, RI →
  Harmony Cafe, 47 Summer St, Manville
  7:00 pm
Tuesday September 29
• Boys & Girls Cross Country Varsity Lincoln, N. Burrillville HS, N
  Chase Farm, 667 Great Rd, Lincoln
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Smithfield PatchAM possible:

• Constantin Floors corp — (401) 999-0199

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Goodwill Industries Southern New England, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Material Handler in Smithfield. Apply here.
• Goodwill Southern New England, Inc. posted a job opening for Shift Supervisor F/T in Smithfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Smithfield here.

🗞 Nearby News

Lincoln

• Kendrick Ball Jr. vs. Job Herrera Official After CES Boxing Weigh-Ins (fightbookmma.com)

North Providence

• North Providence football stays unbeaten with second straight shutout (newportri.com)
• North Providence Board OKs 32 Apartments on Charles Street (upriseri.com)
• Union negotiations with CharterCARE stall as possibility of nurse strike looms (browndailyherald.com)

Johnston

• 18 Zanfagna St Floor 2, Johnston, RI 02919 (zillow.com)

Ok Smithfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "MAN OVERBOARD!" (Thank you M J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook