State COVID-19 Relief: Take It Outside Grant Guidance for Providence Businesses
Updated: Oct 22, 2020
The State of Rhode Island set aside $50 million in COVID-19 relief funding for small businesses, and $5 million on the Take It Outside campaign to help small businesses depending on outdoor space keep their seasons going as long as possible. The state issued these funds through intermediary organizations that Providence businesses may now access and benefit from.
The following is a list of local organizations that received funding and how your business may benefit:
Downtown Improvement District (DID): Hired 5 additional security ambassadors to distribute PPE to those using outdoor environments, and can provide staffing to outdoor events, restaurants, and businesses in Providence. For questions, email John Palmieri at jpalmieri@providencedowntown.com.
Providence Foundation: Supported the popular popular downtown event series Open Air Saturdays by extending the duration through December 26th. For questions, contact Linda Pascoa at lpascoa@provfoundation.com.
City of Providence: Directed grant funding towards the development of downtown events to drive more foot traffic, particularly at the BankNewport City Center. For more information about city efforts, visit https://e.providenceri.gov/rethinkpvd/. For questions, contact Lizzie Araujo-Haller at laraujo@providenceri.gov.
Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitor's Bureau (GoProvidence): Established a lending-library of outdoor event supplies that businesses and organizations can borrow and return (when the form becomes live, this article will be updated with this link). Read more here for the PWCVB Recovery Plan for FY21. For questions, contact Kristen Adamo at kadamo@goprovidence.com.
Rhode Island Hospitality Association: Majority of allocation will go to purchase heaters and blankets to support outdoor dining as a part of the #BYOBlanket (Bring your own blanket) campaign. Restaurants may apply for the heater lottery and blankets here.
In addition, the State of Rhode Island has grant funding available through its Restore RI grant program for all RI businesses and nonprofits. Read more and apply here.
Good luck out there, fellow business owners! Send me an email at info@dhgpvd.com if you need clarity on these items.
Read More about the organizations that received Take It Outside Grant Funding.
Read More about the state of the tourism industry in Rhode Island.