RI Communities Receive $4.8 Million In 'Take It Outside' Grants

PROVIDENCE, RI — Just in time for the return of outdoor dining in Rhode Island, Gov. Dan McKee awarded $4.8 million in "Take It Outside" grants to cities, towns and community organizations across the state on Monday. The funding is intended to help businesses expand their capacity to use outdoor space.

"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," McKee said. "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."

The program was launched by then-Gov. Gina Raimondo in August 2020, as businesses struggled to stay afloat in the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The initial program awarded $6 million in two rounds of funding in 2020 and 2021.

The latest round of funding is part of McKee's Rhode Island Rebounds Initiative, part of the state's American Rescue Plan Act’s State Fiscal Recovery Funds. 21 proposals were approved for projects such as outdoor furniture, heat lamps, tents and other al fresco dining options for restaurants.

"Rhode Islanders and small businesses have been big supporters of the Take It Outside program," Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos said. "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."

Much of the funding went to cities and towns, which will in term distribute grants to small businesses within their communities. To qualify, businesses must have less than $1 million in annual gross revenue and demonstrate financial hardship caused by the pandemic. At least 20 percent of the funding will go to minority or woman-owned businesses, McKee's office said.

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.

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

The grant recipients are listed below.

• Center for Southeast Asians, Providence: up to $643,500 to support businesses (member and nonmember) by providing items to increase outdoor operational capacities and accommodate public health measures adopted in response to COVID-19.
• Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, Warwick: up to $250,000 to purchase goods to support outdoor activities for the small businesses in the Central Rhode Island area.
• City of Cranston: up to $250,000: to support small businesses within Cranston to attract shoppers and restaurant goers.
• City of East Providence: up to $150,000 to disburse funding to small businesses for eligible outdoor accommodations, increasing foot traffic to business corridors and retaining small businesses.
• City of Pawtucket: up to $100,000 to support small businesses with Take It Outside-related supplies.
• East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce: up to $26,000 to host a series of artist markets that will directly support eligible small businesses as well as to purchase igloos for eligible small businesses.
• Federal Hill Commerce Association, Providence: up to $248,500 to continue and increase the resources needed to execute Al Fresco on the Hill. These items include insurance, staffing and security, tables/chairs, signage, and more.
• NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Woonsocket: up to $250,000 to purchase equipment such as folding chairs, pop-up tents, portable speakers, signage, a mobile stage, etc. to distribute to small businesses and to run a series of diverse, free, live music to include extensive food offerings, a vendor fair, cultural activities, youth activities, and other opportunities to engage small businesses.
• North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce: up to $345,600 to support small businesses by providing items to increase outdoor operational capacities and accommodate public health measures.
• Northern RI Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln: up to $247,500 to assist small businesses in purchasing necessary items to expand outdoor dining and activities in thirteen communities across Northern Rhode Island.
• Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, Westerly: up to $10,000 to support small businesses in Westerly in the creation of a “Starry Lights” outdoor holiday light display.
• Providence Downtown Improvement District: up to $330,000 to fund downtown ambassadors to support cleanliness and safety for small businesses engaged in outdoor activities.
• Providence Revolving Fund: up to $450,000 to purchase supplies to support qualifying small businesses, specifically focusing on minority and women owned business.
• RI Brewers Guild, Wakefield: up to $208,000 to support small businesses, including Rhode Island based taproom breweries by providing grants for these small businesses to purchase tables, umbrellas, heaters and other PPE supplies.
• Rhode Island Hospitality Association, Cranston: up to $637,677 to work with hospitality businesses across the state to help them purchase supplies to encourage and increase outdoor activities.
• The Pawtucket Foundation: up to $101,200 to provide Take It Outside equipment, particularly for distilleries breweries, and small businesses within the arts and cultural industry of Pawtucket.
• Town of Cumberland: up to $100,000 to support small businesses with Take It Outside-related supplies.
• Town of North Providence: up to $100,000 to support small businesses with Take It Outside-related supplies.
• Town of Smithfield: up to $100,000 to support small businesses with Take It Outside-related supplies.
• Town of Warren: up to $100,000 to provide support to small businesses to continue to expand the outdoor dining and entertainment experiences in Warren.
• Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Providence: up to $150,000 to create a competitive targeted grant program for eligible small businesses in the Watershed cities and towns.