Economic Development Division

Thank you for your interest in the City of Woonsocket.

Founded in 1888, the City of Woonsocket is an historic community of 43,000 situated along the Northern Rhode Island-Massachusetts border. With direct access to the Blackstone River and near Providence, Boston, and Worcester, Woonsocket played a leading role in the industrialization of America. More than 130 years later, Woonsocket, home to CVS Health Corporation, remains one of the top cities in New England to live, work, and raise a family. Our Office of Economic Development is committed to assisting with whatever your business needs may be, and we look forward to you joining our thriving community.

Woonsocket Multipurpose Community Learning Center Updates

The new Community Learning Center has broken ground and will be completed by October 31, 2026.

**This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number CPFFN00169 awarded to the City of Woonsocket by the U.S. Department of Treasury.**

• Please visit: www.pandemicrecovery.ri.gov/CLC-Woonsocket for information on the progress of the project. This project is (completely/partially) funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) through the Governor’s Community Learning Center Municipal Grant program.
• Governor Dan McKee talks about the progress and importance of the Community Learning Center in this video link: https://fb.watch/Dnkgdjdq08

In the News...

* Woonsocket Legacy Business Boston Globe article for MLB Opening Day! https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/27/metro/brickle-group-yarn-major-le...

* The Woonsocket Small Business Hub is officially open to the public!  Do you have an idea to start your own business in the city, have an existing business, and need help with your website or social media development?  The Small business Hub located on the 3rd floor of the Woonsocket Education Center at 115 Main Street here in the city offers free services for entrepreneurs and existing business owners for any stage of the process.  It is a one-stop-shop for resources to the business community!  You can either schedule an appointment or just walk in and a representative from Skills RI, Social Enterprise Greenhouse to name a few are available at the Hub to assist you with any business need you may have.  Check out risbhub@skillsforri.com or call 401-249-2222 for more information.

*RIPTA Service Improvements for Route QX and Route 54

Staff