City seeks to get Washington Bridge Grant funds to impacted businesses
City of East Providence launches second round of grant funding
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – The City of East Providence is launching a second round of grant funding for those businesses that did not have the opportunity to apply the first time around.
We have learned from our first experience that many businesses although they may qualify, did not have the opportunity to apply. We also learned from the first round that there were a lot of fraudulent applications and bad actors who were trying to manipulate the system.
Based on that, the City is launching a simple form that will ask you to answer a few questions to gauge your interest. Based on that information you will be reached out to by either the City’s Planning Department or Skills for Rhode Island’s Future to set up an in-person meeting and have you fill out the application and provide the necessary documentation you will need to see if you qualify for the grant.
On December 23, 2024, East Providence distributed over $713,000 to 92 businesses, making whole, 40 businesses impacted by the closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge.
The 1st round of funding left the city with $486,526 for a second round of distribution for the area's small business community.
Additionally, Rhode Island Commerce has awarded East Providence $33,000 in funding, bringing the total to $519,526 of financial relief available for small businesses.
For East Providence businesses interested in filling out the ‘interest form’, they can do so by visiting https://eastprovidenceri.gov/WashingtonBridgeSmallBusinessGrants. There, applicants will find any information they may need in order to apply.
The City of East Providence’s Planning Department will again be collaborating with Skills for Rhode Island’s Future to assist with the distribution process of leftover grant funding.
