Small Business Grant Program
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. Grant awards will be prioritized based on percentage of revenue loss until funds are fully expended.
Grants for businesses located in Providence and East Providence will be administered and distributed by the respective cities. Grants for businesses located anywhere else in the state will be administered and distributed by Rhode Island Commerce.
The application period has closed.
To see if you are eligible and ready to apply, download the Get Ready to Apply Checklist:
- Get Ready to Apply Checklist (English)
- Guía de Preparación de Solicitud (Spanish)
- Guia de Preparação para a Candidatura (Portuguese)
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible for this grant program, businesses must meet the following criteria:
- Experienced negative economic impact (minimum $500 and 10% revenue loss) as a result of Washington Bridge Reconstruction
- For businesses established prior to December 1, 2022: to calculate revenue loss, sum your business’s total gross receipts or sales for the months of December 2022 and January and February 2023 (A) and your business’s total gross receipts or sale for the months of December 2023 and January and February 2024 (B). Subtract (A-B) and divide by A to calculate your revenue loss due to the bridge closure and reconstruction and multiply by 100 to get the revenue loss percentage. Your revenue loss percentage must be 10% or higher to be eligible for the program.
- For new businesses opened between December 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023: to determine eligibility, calculate your total operating expenses (A) and your total gross receipts or sales (B) for the months of December 2023 and January and February 2024. Subtract (A-B) and divide by A to calculate your revenue loss due to the bridge closure and reconstruction and multiply by 100 to get the revenue loss percentage. Your revenue loss percentage must be 10% or higher to be eligible for the program.
- Physically located in Rhode Island
- For-profit businesses and non-profit entities
- Rhode Island gross receipts of $2 million or less
- Not owned by a nationally or regionally owned franchise
- Not permanently closed
- Not in or considering federal bankruptcy or state receivership
- Be an established business in the state of Rhode Island prior to June 1, 2023
- Not on federal do not pay list
Frequently Asked Questions
For complete program information and eligibility, please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document below.
THOSE SELECTED FOR PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION SPOT CHECK
If you have been selected as part of the program’s internal controls audit, Rhode Island Commerce will reach out to request backup documentation for the information included in your application.
