PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s Take It Outside initiative is awarding seven grants to promote outdoor commercial activities, Gov. Daniel J. McKee announced Tuesday.
The grants, ranging from $40,000 to $220,000, will be used to support a variety of activities, including Al Fresco on the Hill in Providence and Make Music Day in Westerly.
Rhode Island FC To Offer Local Businesses Top-Notch Networking Opportunities in 2025
The perfect atmosphere for entertaining clients or hosting employees, The Stadium at Tidewater Landing will…
Learn More
“The Take It Outside initiative was born out of the pandemic as a way to keep our businesses operating in a safe manner,” McKee said in a statement. “While the pandemic is behind us, we’re proud to continue this initiative which increases economic activity for our small businesses and promotes good public health practices.”
So far this year, $2.75 million in Take It Outside grants have been distributed in support of more than 350 Rhode Island small businesses, half of which are women- or minority-owned enterprises, according to McKee. In the next few months, an additional $2 million will be deployed to small-business groups.
The Take It Outside grants are part of McKee’s Rhode Island Rebound program and are administered through the R.I. Commerce Corp.
In a statement, R.I. Commerce Secretary Elizabeth M. Tanner said, “[We] recognize the enormous strain that the pandemic placed on our small businesses. We anticipate that the initiative will make a substantial impact on our collective desire to keep our citizens safe while simultaneously bolstering our economy.”
Organizations receiving grants include:
- Rhode Island Hospitality Association. Up to $220,000 to reimburse businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
- Center for Southeast Asians. Up to $100,000 to continue providing reimbursements for small businesses investing in Take It Outside projects in Providence.
- North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce. Up to $100,000 to provide in-kind support for small businesses engaging in Take It Outside activities through the purchase and distribution of materials and equipment.
- Federal Hill Commerce Association. Up to $90,000 to fund a 2023 series of outdoor dining and shopping events known as Al Fresco on the Hill in Providence.
- Town of Lincoln. Up to $75,000 for golf carts to be city owned to improve accessibility at outdoor festivals and markets.
- East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce. Up to $40,000 to support Take It Outside programming through the summer of 2023.
- Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce. Up to $10,000 for outdoor business programming, including Sunday Funday events, Small Business Speed networking, and Make Music Day in Westerly.
Sam Wood is a PBN staff writer. Contact him at Wood@PBN.com.
