PROVIDENCE – More than a month after Gov. Gina M. Raimondo announced a $20 million COVID-19-related grant program to support the state’s hospitality, arts and tourism sectors, R.I. Commerce Corp. revealed the first round of recipients Tuesday evening.
Of the $20 million worth of grants available, R.I. Commerce awarded $1.4 million under the HArT relief program to 17 different businesses and nonprofits. The competitive program aims to prevent the long-term closure of arts, culture, hospitality and tourism businesses and institutions, while also building resiliency, workforce support and community engagement, according to R.I. Commerce’s announcement.
The goal of the grants that were dispersed in the first round were designed to spur economic activity, create safe convening opportunities and allow increased and accessible tourist-friendly opportunities, according to the announcement.
Of the 17 recipients, eight of the organizations are based in Providence.
The largest grants from this round were:
- The Federal Hill Commerce Association in Providence received $350,000 to put toward daytime holiday events between late-November and mid-December in addition to creating free delivery vouchers for food and goods purchased from more than 50 Federal Hill small businesses.
- The Rhode Island Zoological Society in Providence received $350,000 to put on a drive-through holiday light show. According to the announcement, the program will include a partnership with hotels.
- The Trinity Repertory Company in Providence received $175,343.87 to put on an online production of “A Christmas Carol,” have additional interactive digital content, and be able to make investments in technology for virtual programming.
- The Talent Factory in North Kingstown received $175,000 to develop a pop-up theater for outdoor performances, dance studios, and youth theater programs.
Other recipients included the Preservation Society of Newport County ($74,650), The Pawtucket Foundation ($69,000), Gamm Theater in Warwick ($64,470), Ten31 Productions in Pawtucket ($61,125.37), Everett in Providence ($45,380), The Arctic Playhouse in West Warwick ($33,700), The Contemporary Theater Company in Wakefield ($33,244.44), Chorus of Westerly ($30,000), Flickers in Providence ($29,900), the Newport Music Festival ($25,877.50), Rhode Island Museum of Science & Art in Providence ($23,712), AS220 in Providence ($19,761), The Steel Yard in Providence ($15,450) and Gallery Events LLC in Pawtucket ($1,900).
The state will be reviewing applications for an additional $18 million in grants through the HArT program.
Alexa Gagosz is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Gagosz@PBN.com. You may also follow her on Twitter at @AlexaGagosz.