U.S. Sen. Jack Reed is touting a new business and technology center designed to help more local businesses win U.S. Navy contracts.
The Rhode Island Democrat plans to attend a ceremony Monday in Newport to cut the ribbon for Innovate Newport, a 34,000-square-foot working space and office complex that aims to serve as a business incubator.
It's located at the former Sheffield Elementary School, near the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.
Reed says $8 million was spent on renovations. He helped secure $1.7 million in federal funding.
The city of Newport, Newport Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council of Rhode Island collaborated on the project.
Current tenants include Drupal Connect, INSPIRE Environmental, Newport County Chamber of Commerce, Towerhill Associates, Vizsafe and smaller firms using the working space.
