New Bristol employee spreading the word, to help local economy

Economic Development Coordinator Chris Vitale communicates and coordinates to promote Bristol’s best assets

By Kristen Ray
Posted 8/18/18

The moment Chris Vitale set foot in Bristol back in 2011, while studying marketing as an undergraduate student at Roger Williams University, it became clear that he’d just discovered someplace …

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New Bristol employee spreading the word, to help local economy

Economic Development Coordinator Chris Vitale communicates and coordinates to promote Bristol’s best assets

Posted

The moment Chris Vitale set foot in Bristol back in 2011, while studying marketing as an undergraduate student at Roger Williams University, it became clear that he’d just discovered someplace special.

“The first time I went over Mt. Hope Bridge, I knew I was home,” he said.

After relocating to Dallas following graduation and completing his master’s in Strategic Communications, Mr. Vitale has finally found his way back to the town he fell in love with by serving as Bristol’s Economic Development Coordinator within the town’s Community Development department.

Though the appeal of Bristol’s history and charm has always been obvious to Mr. Vitale, this new role allows him the ability to reach a broader audience as he strives to improve tourism, assist local business owners and streamline communication.

“We’re looking at opportunities to bring customers to businesses and get them involved in the community,” Mr. Vitale said.

Part of that equation revolves around exposing Bristol to new experiences, whether it’s welcoming in novel businesses or hosting different events. Mr. Vitale was instrumental in bringing the annual Black Ships Festival, a celebration of the trading treaty and friendship between the United States and Japan, to town this past July, working with local merchants to stage retail stands throughout the festival’s duration.

The other aspect relies on helping residents and tourists alike be more aware of the events and organizations that currently do exist around town, something Mr.Vitale is well-versed in from his days as a marketing and events intern at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.

“The town already has so many great things happening, and we need to celebrate that,” he said.

To do so, Mr. Vitale has worked hard to make this information more accessible, managing the Town of Bristol Facebook page and revamping the town’s website. The latter, which Mr. Vitale plans to roll out within the next six months, will be complete with updated resources, an easier user-interface, and a few other surprises. Additionally, he’s partnered with organizations such as Explore Bristol to help streamline communication flow.

By placing Bristol’s vast number of diverse community organizations and festivities in the spotlight, Mr. Vitale hopes to build upon the deeply-rooted level of volunteerism the town exudes and engage a whole new group of people as a way to instill the same sense of pride he’s always felt for his adopted home.

“How many towns have over a dozen parks, a beach, a rich history, top-notch restaurants and the parade?” he asked.

With so many amenities right at Bristol’s fingertips, Mr. Vitale is actively working to make it more affordable to stay and build a life right here in town. As manager of the Home Repair Program, he helps administer services such as roof and window replacements for lower-income families through Community Development Block Grant funds.

While it could be overwhelming managing and collaborating on so many different projects, Mr. Vitale says he’s excited to create lasting change in his community. 

“Whether it’s helping a business go through the zoning process or putting together a festival for families to have something fun to do on the weekend, the exciting thing is making a positive impact,” he said.

To Mr. Vitale, that can be best achieved by maintaining an open-door policy; whether it’s a phone call, email or conversation on the street, he’s ready to hear from Bristol residents.

“I serve as an advocate for everyone in town; I keep myself educated so I can be here as a resource,” he said.

Affable yet determined, Mr. Vitale is ready for any challenge as he inches closer to completing his first year in his new role. He encourages anyone to give him a call at 401-253-7000 or email him at cvitale@bristolri.us.

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.