Westerly - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

The Westerly Comprehensive Plan9.4.1.3 Individual Input – EconomyParticipants in the public workshops expressed a more diverse range of opinions about issuesrelating to the town’s economy than they did in the previous two sections. While more participantsagreed with the need to identify land for commercial development, they were less enthused aboutthe need to identify land for industrial development. Thirty-six percent of participants indicated thatthey had no opinion about whether Westerly has potential as a year-round tourism destination,leaving only 43 percent agreeing or strongly agreeing that Westerly has year-round tourism appeal.Respondents were emphatic that they do not support identifying areas to accommodate highwaycommercial uses such as chain hotels, restaurants and gas stations for businesses and tourists: 63percent of participants disagreed or strongly disagreed with the need for these amenities, while 27percent agreed or strongly agreed, and the remainder expressed no opinion. Responses are tabulatedin the table below.Table 9-4 Individual Input: EconomyNeitherStronglyAgreeAgreeAgreenorDisagreeWesterly needs to identify landfor commercial developmentsuch as offices and high techbusinesses.Westerly needs to identify landfor industrial developmentsuch as manufacturing andlight industrial.Westerly has tourismdestinations that havepotential year-round appeal.Westerly needs to find areas toaccommodate highwaycommercial uses such as chainhotels, restaurants and gasstations for businesses andtourists.DisagreeStronglyDisagree18.2% 41.6% 22.1% 16.9% 1.3%17.1% 36.8% 19.7% 17.1% 9.2%17.3% 25.3% 36.0% 14.7% 6.7%12.0% 14.7% 10.7% 32.0% 30.7%Westerly, Rhode Island 135