Blackstone Valley could become park

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - Officials from the National Park Service were in Rhode Island today to discuss how the Blackstone River Valley could become the country's next national park.

Congress is considering making the historic corridor a national park, which would give the region constant federal funding and protect its historic standing.

The area is of great importance to America's Industrial Revolution, as many mills and factories dotted the valley. Curators at the historic Slater Mill say it would be incredibly important for the Valley to gain that standing as federal money would keep the area's manufacturing past alive.

Two representatives from the National Park Service told a conference that sustainable tourism is the key, and spoke with local officials to explain how sustainable tourism can best be implemented.

Dr. Robert Billington, a member of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, told Eyewitness News that "in the end, it's about making the community a better place."

There's no timetable in place for approval of the National Park designation yet.