Cox Announces $125,000 Challenge Grant to Save The Bay

Grant to give Bay access to urban families and encourage further protection of Narragansett Bay

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Mar 19, 2015, 09:08 ET

PROVIDENCE, R.I., March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the upcoming World Water Day on March 22, Cox Communications and the James M. Cox Foundation announced a $125,000 challenge grant for Save The Bay. The grant will go toward the construction of a new 200-foot public access pier, the Gateway to the Bay. The new pier will be an important and highly-visible tool in Save The Bay's long-standing efforts to conserve and encourage public stewardship of the Bay.

The pier will be constructed from the edge of the floating breakwater in front of the dock to the land, creating public access by land and water.

Today, accessibility to the Narragansett Bay shoreline is limited, particularly for those lower-income families in urban areas. Though Rhode Island is called the Ocean State, there are presently no locations in South Providence that offer legally available public coastal access. This new pier would transform the area, providing increased access to Narragansett Bay.

"Save The Bay advocates for waters that are swimmable, fishable, healthy and accessible," said Save The Bay's Executive Director Jonathan Stone. "This generous challenge grant from the James M. Cox Foundation will help us do this, as well as expand and enrich our Bay education and outreach to people of all ages."

The creation of a Gateway to the Bay will connect Rhode Islanders directly with the Bay itself, supporting recreation and education and bolstering the community's sense of ownership and responsibility to the Bay. It also will greatly support Save The Bay's Baykeeper Program and conservation activities such as aquaculture and shellfish restoration. The Baykeeper Program identifies and responds to environmental threats by keeping in close contact with members of the Bay community, as well as with environmental agencies.

"With this challenge grant, Cox seeks to inspire others in our community to support the important work of Save The Bay," said Jay Allbaugh, senior vice president and region manager, Cox Communications. "Narragansett Bay is an environmental treasure, and we must all work together to protect it for future generations. At Cox, we've found that sustainability is good for the business, the community and the environment."

Save The Bay will receive these funds upon raising matching funds of $125,000. The total cost of this project is just over $1 million. Save The Bay is working hard to raise these funds and complete this project.

Cox has been a partner with Save The Bay for more than 20 years. The organization has received a Cox Charities/Cox Conserves Community Grant in each of the last six years to support after school, educational programming and also received in-kind Public Service Announcement production, airtime, on-Demand placement and newsletter announcements.

Conservation is a big part of Cox Communications and the James M. Cox Foundation's mission. Cox Communications participates in Cox Conserves, the company's national sustainability program, and has solar installations in Warwick, R.I. and Portsmouth, R.I. In the Northeast Region, Cox also has a full-circle recycling and composting program for all paper, cardboard, plastics and food products that pass through the cafeteria, which serves more than 625 meals per day.

As community leaders, Cox Communications and Save The Bay have encouraged environmental conservation and public access. The construction of this new gateway pier will catapult this work to new levels.

The James M. Cox Foundation is named in honor of Cox Enterprises' founder and provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where Cox Communications, Cox Automotive and Cox Media Group operate. Cox Enterprises' companies in New England include Autotrader, Cox Communications, Cox Reps, Fox 25 and Manheim New England.

About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For eight years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity nine times, including the last eight years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

About Save The Bay
Founded in 1970, Save The Bay works to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed through advocacy, education, and restoration efforts. It envisions a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to everyone and globally recognized as an environmental treasure.

About The James M. Cox Foundation
The James M. Cox Foundation is named in honor of Cox Enterprises' founder and provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where the company operates. James M. Cox was Ohio's first three-term governor and the 1920 Democratic nominee for president of the United States.

The Foundation concentrates its community support in several areas, including: conservation and environment; early childhood education; empowering families and individuals for success; and health.

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