R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-38.1-6
The corporation is authorized and empowered, directly, or by and through a participating institution for higher education or a participating municipality or a participating child daycare center or a participating healthcare provider, as its agent, to acquire by purchase or by gift or devise any lands, structures, property, real or personal, rights, rights of way, franchises, easements, and other interests in lands, including lands lying under water and riparian rights, which are located within or without the state as it may deem necessary or convenient for the construction or operation of a project, upon terms and at prices that may be considered by it to be reasonable and can be agreed upon between it and the owner of the property, and to take title to the property in the name of the corporation or in the name of a participating institution for higher education or a participating municipality or a participating child daycare center or a participating healthcare provider as its agent.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-38.1-6