Governor McKee, Cumberland Mayor Mutter Celebrate First Ribbon Cutting of 21 Community Learning Centers Statewide
Published on Friday, December 12, 2025
PROVIDENCE, RI — On Friday, Governor Dan McKee and Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter joined elected officials and local dignitaries for a ribbon-cutting at the Amaral Building Community Learning Center. The historic building adjacent to Town Hall has been renovated to offer in-person and online programming for the greater Cumberland area, including the governor’s Learn365RI out-of-school learning initiative (Learn365RI), as well as adult education, job development, and health monitoring.
A McKee Administration signature initiative, 21 community learning centers around the state (Community Learning Centers | Pandemic Recovery Office) are currently under construction and will be operating no later than December 31, 2026.
“As each center comes online, it will become a trusted resource and regular gathering space for all members of its host community,” said Governor McKee. “We expect residents of all ages to benefit from the rich programming each city and town is developing with their local partners.”
Today’s ribbon cutting showed off the center’s recent rehabilitation, including a large first-floor classroom space, public computer stations, a second-floor gathering space, and three separate meeting rooms for private tutoring, telehealth, and job interviews. Other attendees at the event included Senator Ryan Pearson, Representative Brandon Voas, and Town Council President Michael Kinch.
Once a post office and later a local grocery store, the Amaral Building was purchased by the Town of Cumberland under the leadership of then-Mayor Dan McKee.
“We’re appreciative of Governor McKee’s Community Learning Center initiative, which has complemented and allowed us to expand upon the ongoing community outreach work here in Cumberland, which has been led by Outreach Coordinator Sarah King. Revitalizing the Amaral Building, an existing Town asset, honors Cumberland’s history and leads us into an exciting future,” stated Mayor Jeffrey Mutter.
The Cumberland center is financed with $3.1 million from the Governor’s Community Learning Center Municipal Grant Program and a $1 million Community Development Block Grant. The municipal grant program is funded through $82 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Funds and is designed to address community-based service gaps in education, workforce development, and health that became evident during the pandemic.