EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Washington Bridge Small Business Grant Program
The Washington Bridge Small Business Grant Program provides financial support to Rhode Island small businesses impacted by the closure and reconstruction of the northern span of the Washington Bridge. Grants will be made in amounts of $500, $1,000, and $2,500 , based on minimum revenue loss thresholds during the period of December 2023 – February 2024.
For more information, go to CommerceRI.com/wbgrants
Other Resources for Business Impacted by the Washington Bridge
SBA’s Washington Bridge Business Recovery Center closed on Thursday, June 27.
- Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster.
- Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
- For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
RI 20130: Road Closure Due to Sudden Bridge Failure
Incident Date: December 11, 2023 and continuing
Type of Loans: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) only
Working capital disaster loans to meet your operating expenses until full recovery
Counties: Providence, Bristol and Kent in RI; Windham, CT; Bristol, Norfolk, and Worcester in MA
Eligible: Small businesses, non-profit organizations Interest rate: 4% for businesses; 3.25% for non-profits
Application deadline: September 16, 2024
Note: Must show a direct relationship between your financial losses and the incident
For Business Impacted by Severe Weather (September 10 - 13, 2023)
- FEMA assistance covers those affected in Providence County (https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4753)
- SBA assistance covers Providence County, and the continuous counties of Kent and Bristol, RI.
RI 20114: Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
Incident Date: September 10-13, 2023
Type of Loans: Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs)
Primary County: Providence
FEMA grants for homeowners and renters; Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans available
Adjacent Counties: Bristol and Kent
Economic Injury Disaster Loans only
Application deadline:
Physical Loans – March 7, 2024
Economic Injury Disaster Loans – October 7, 2024
>> Download SBA’s September 2023 Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes Fact Sheet
For Business Impacted by Severe Weather (December 17 - 19, 2023)
RI-20196 & 20197: Severe Storms and Flooding
Incident Date: December 17 – 19, 2023
Type of Loans: Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Home Disaster Loans available.
Counties: Kent, Providence, Washington
Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Home Disaster Loans
Adjacent Counties: Bristol
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) only.
Application Filing Deadline:
Physical Damage Loans – May 20, 2024
Economic Injury Disaster Loans – December 23, 2024
For Business Impacted by Severe Weather (January 9 – 13, 2024)
RI 20198 & 20199: Severe Storms and Flooding
Incident Date: January 9 – 13, 2024
Types of Loans: Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Home Disaster Loans
Primary Counties: Kent, Providence, Washington
Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Home Disaster Loans
Adjacent Counties: Bristol, Newport
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) only.
Application Filing Deadline:
Physical Damage Loans – May 20, 2024
Economic Injury Disaster Loans – December 23, 2024
For Updates from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Go to www.dot.ri.gov for more information.
