Businesses have generally been underwhelmed by the state’s response to their requests for help following the December closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge.
Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s administration on April 22 finally showed it’s listening, with a modest budget proposal to direct $1.3 million in COVID-related federal aid to support affected businesses.
Initial government efforts to help have been criticized by many affected business owners already struggling to cope with the two-year timeline for bridge repairs. Hundreds applied for federal small-business disaster loans, but many found the process frustrating and too difficult to qualify for.
Then a state relief package that included more spending for marketing than direct grants left many business owners fuming.
“They’re not looking for loans,” East Providence City Council President Robert B. Rodericks told PBN in this week’s cover story. “They’re looking for some outright help.”
The governor’s office wisely redirected most of the $1.3 million to the communities most affected, including $600,000 to East Providence and $300,000 to the capital city.
Businesses outside those cities will be able to seek help from a new $300,000 fund run by R.I. Commerce Corp.
Someone will eventually release a report on the economic toll of the bridge closure and ongoing traffic challenges. But anecdotal evidence of business disruptions and declining sales is convincing enough.
Gov. McKee’s proposal is, at the least, a welcomed step in showing businesses they will not be left to suffer the economic fallout alone.