PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Environmental Management has made $5 million in matching grants available to municipalities and Native American tribes to acquire, develop or renovate outdoor facilities, DEM announced Tuesday.
The program, called the Recreation Acquisition and Development Grant program, is now accepting applications. The deadline to apply for the funding is Dec. 11. Funds come from the 2018 Green Economy and Clean Water Bond approved by Rhode Island voters.
Recreation-development projects will require a 20% match from the community, while an application for a recreation acquisition will require a 50% match. Small grants are available for up to $100,000 and large grants are available for up to $400,000.
“There are tremendous economic, health and environmental benefits to modernizing our recreational facilities and creating greenspace in our cities,” said Gov. Gina M. Raimondo in a statement Tuesday. “These features – as well as the many amazing parks, beaches and other natural areas around the state – help attract people to live and grow a family or business in Rhode Island. Promoting this critical sector of our economy is key to moving our state forward.”
