The Newport Main Street program, part of the D.R.I.V.E. (Downtown Revitalization through Initiative, Vision, and Empowerment) initiative, has welcomed its new director. The program focuses on historic preservation, economic vitality, and community building in downtown Newport.

The new director brings experience in heritage tourism and small business development, and plans to expand the ReNewport grant program and launch new downtown events to increase foot traffic for local merchants.