1. Applications open for new $200M rent assistance program POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 1. A new $200 million rent assistance program for tenants and landlords who have been hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic was launched. The program, known as RentReliefRI, is intended to help eligible state residents who are having trouble covering their rent or housing-based utilities.
pbn.com/applications-open-for-new-200m-rent-assistance-program
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AP FILE PHOTO/GENE J. PUSKAR[/caption]
2. CVS Health to reopen Woonsocket HQ in September POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 28. CVS Health Corp. will begin reopening its Woonsocket headquarters in September. When employees return, it will be in a phased manner and the time frame could change depending on public health guidance.
pbn.com/cvs-health-to-reopen-woonsocket-hq-in-september
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COURTESY SWEENEY REAL ESTATE & APPRAISAL[/caption]
3. Former Benny’s HQ and distribution center buildings sell for $20 POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 8. The former Benny’s headquarters and distribution warehouse on Waterman Avenue in Smithfield were sold for $20, according to real estate records. Esmond Realty Corp. sold the properties to 340 Waterman Avenue LLC on March 26.
pbn.com/former-bennys-hq-and-distribution-center-buildings-sell-for-20
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PBN FILE PHOTO/NICOLE DOTZENROD[/caption]
4. Should Rhode Island lawmakers OK a special tax on bottled and canned sugary drinks? POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 23. Legislation under consideration in the R.I. House and Senate would add a 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks such as soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened teas and coffees.
pbn.com/should-rhode-island-lawmakers-ok-a-special-tax-on-bottled-and-canned-sugary-drinks
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AP FILE PHOTO/J. DAVID AKE[/caption]
5. Woman accused of embezzling $580K from Cranston auto body shop POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 1. Idalee Johnston, of Pawtucket and a secretary of Ideal Auto Body in Cranston, was accused in federal court of defrauding her employer of $580,000. She allegedly created a scheme in which she pocketed the proceeds from roughly 190 checks provided to customers by insurance companies as payment for repairs to their vehicles.
pbn.com/woman-accused-of-embezzling-580k-from-cranston-auto-body-shop
6. R.I. to start significantly relaxing COVID-19 business restrictions in May POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 22.
pbn.com/r-i-covid-19-cases-rise-by-318-with-2-new-deaths
7. Seagrave-Whittle heads PBN 2021 Business Women honorees POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 16.
pbn.com/seagrave-whittle-heads-pbn-2021-business-women-honorees
8. McKee committed to PPP taxation over $150K POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 7. pbn.com/mckee-committed-to-ppp-taxation-over-150k
9. Ice cream, wine and beer: I-195 District park to host new food and beverage options POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 23.
pbn.com/ice-cream-wine-and-beer-i-195-district-park-to-host-new-food-and-beverage-options
10. Orsted, Eversource plan wind farm manufacturing facility at ProvPort POSTED ONLINE: APRIL 14.
pbn.com/orsted-eversource-plan-wind-farm-manufacturing-facility-at-provport
