In March 2015, two veteran brothers poured their savings together and opened The Outpost, a café located at the beautiful Blackstone River Valley State Park Visitor Center accessible by Interstate 295 North in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The Outpost offers food, beverages, and Rhode Island made products. Officials from the Federal Highway Administration visited The Outpost shortly after opening and asked that signs be removed off of the Interstate and informed the two brothers that their business may need to be shut down because it is located on the “right-of-way of the federal interstate system.” Dunkin' Donuts occupied the same space from 2006 until 2012 without incident from the FHA. 

         The Outpost is clearly set back off the highway and located on the grounds of the state park. It’s parking lot does not endanger any of it’s customers. On the backside of the visitor center is an entrance to the Blackstone River Bikeway where bicyclists can access The Outpost.

         This petition’s purpose is to keep The Outpost open. The government and the state of Rhode Island should be doing everything within their power to keep The Outpost in business for the support of local business, enjoyment of locals and those for those visiting the state of Rhode Island.

         I am signing this petition in order to keep The Outpost open and operating at its current location off of 295 North in the Blackstone River State Park, without fear of it being shutdown.