NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (AP) - Block Island residents say the nation’s first offshore wind farm has positively impacted tourism.
The Block Island Tourism Council says people are coming to the island to see the wind farm. That’s helping local hospitality businesses and charter boats, which are taking people out to see it.
Deepwater Wind built five turbines 3 miles off Block Island, opening the first U.S. offshore wind farm a year ago.
Rhode Island Public Radio reports the farm now supplies power for nearly 2,000 people on the island.
Developer Deepwater Wind provided the island with a fiber optic cable for high-speed internet. Residents say they still don’t have reliable service.
Resident Chris Willi says it could cost millions to get service to all residents and the island should’ve planned for connecting the cable earlier.
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