EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
For Business Impacted by the Washington Bridge
- SBA’s Washington Bridge Business Recovery Center is located at East Providence City Hall (145 Taunton Ave).
- Customer service representatives are onsite to assist businesses and nonprofits.
- Low interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to businesses in Providence, Kent, and Bristol counties, at interest rates of 4% for businesses and 2.375% for nonprofits.
For more information, please contact SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
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
>> Download SBA’s Washington Bridge Closure Fact Sheet
SBA Business Recovery Center (East Providence City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914)
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for Holidays)
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except for Holidays)
Closed: Sundays
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
Recovery Centers
SBA Business Recovery Center
North Providence Public Safety Complex (1835 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904)
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (SBA personnel on site at each as well)
Coventry Town Hall (1675 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI 02816)
William Windsor Elementary School (562 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI 02868)
Curtis Corner Middle School (301 Curtis Corner Road, Wakefield, RI 02879)
FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC)
Cranston Library (140 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, RI 02920)
Maury Loontjens Memorial Library (25 Pier Market Place, Narragansett, RI 02882)
Resources for Small Businesses
For more information about small business resources at Rhode Island Commerce, click here
Ways to Support Impacted Businesses
#ShopLocalRI: Our state’s diverse business community has everything you need to get through your holiday shopping lists. As always, we encourage all Rhode Islanders to support locally owned-businesses.
Spread the Word: If you find something you love at your favorite local business – whether in-person or online – spread the word on social media with the tag #ShopLocalRI. Word-of-mouth goes a long way in helping businesses attract new customers.
Engage with Local Businesses: The owners of your favorite neighborhood businesses are working hard to stay in touch with their customers. If you are shopping in-person or online with these local businesses, consider proactively asking them how you can help share their messages with your friends or social media networks.
Plan a Night Out: Do you have a favorite restaurant in an area impacted by heavy traffic? Now is a great time to give these businesses some immediate support by treating yourself (or your friends, colleagues or family members) to a gift card.
Be Patient: Business owners are doing their best, in the moment, to problem-solve and navigate unforeseen obstacles brought on by this sudden closure. It is possible this may lead to adjusted hours of operations or delayed service. We encourage Rhode Islanders to stay patient as these issues are addressed.
Updates from RIDOT
For more information about the Washington Bridge closure from the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT), click here
