Providence Reporter

City of East Providence recently issued the following announcement.

Governor Dan McKee announced today approximately $4.8 million in awards that will enable eligible small businesses to expand their capacity to do business outdoors. Funded through Governor McKee’s Rhode Island Rebounds initiative, the Take It Outside program will fund 21 intermediary organizations to support outdoor activities for small businesses. Examples of projects include purchasing items such as chairs, tables, heat lamps and tents, as well as executing al fresco opportunities for small businesses.

“The Take It Outside program has been a successful small businesses programs created during the COVID-19 pandemic as it has allowed businesses to continue economic activity while at the same time promoting public health guidelines which focused on taking activity outdoors to limit spread of the virus,” said Governor McKee. “I am proud to support the Take It Outside initiative to continue helping our local businesses who have faced extraordinary challenges since the onset of the pandemic, and I thank the General Assembly for approving this critical funding.”

“Rhode Islanders and small businesses have been big supporters of the Take It Outside program,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “We are proud to announce this new round of funding to continue to support our small businesses with their efforts to adapt and grow while keeping Rhode Islanders safe.”

Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said, “The federal recovery funds appropriated through the RI Rebounds program is one way in which the state has worked to partner with and support small businesses. The 'Take It Outside' program, in particular, has been a lifeline for many small businesses. From tables and chairs to heat lamps, the goods and services supported through this program continue to provide a lifeline to support small businesses as they work to operate in the safest manner possible.”

“Small businesses throughout the state continue to display creativity, adapting to conditions and customer preferences- as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. “These grants will support hundreds of small businesses as they continue to rebound.”

Businesses that are the ultimate beneficiaries of the program must have less than $1 million in annual gross revenues and demonstrate a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. At least twenty percent of all funds awarded to small businesses will be reserved for awards to assist minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises.

Earlier in the pandemic, the Take it Outside program successfully awarded more than 100 intermediary organizations a total of more than $6 million across two rounds of funding in 2020 and 2021. This year’s program is made possible through Governor McKee’s Rhode Island Rebounds Initiative, which is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act’s State Fiscal Recovery Funds. Earlier this year RI Commerce unveiled the Small Business Grants program, the Hospitality, Tourism and Events Industry Direct Grants, and the Placemaking Initiative. The General Assembly approved Governor McKee’s Rhode Island Rebounds Down Payment proposal, which included relief for children and families, small businesses, and investments for affordable housing.

The project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRFP0136 (State Fiscal Recovery Funds) awarded to the State of Rhode Island by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Original source can be found here.