Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund

Rhode Island Commerce’s Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund awards grants on a competitive basis for improvements to our state’s commercial districts. This program encourages private-public partnerships to enhance streetscapes in Rhode Island’s local business districts. 

The 2025 application window is now closed.

The program offers funding in two categories:

Physical / Streetscape Improvements

These investments aim to strengthen Rhode Island’s small business environment, fostering growth and attracting events to main street and downtown districts. This includes projects such as signage, lighting, façade and sidewalk improvements. 

Municipal Technical Assistance 

Program funds may be used towards technical assistance to support future physical improvements to streetscape project. This includes support in areas such as project planning, engineering, design and environmental assessment. The new added support from technical assistance will expand eligible projects and contribute to the success and sustainability of our streetscape improvement projects.  

Eligibility Criteria  

Eligible projects must be located in an area that is walkable, with a mix of land uses suitable for small business development and commerce that attracts residents and visitors to frequent the activities located in the area; 
Applicants must have matching funds committed for the project. Matching funds can include real estate committed to the project or costs associated with engineering, design, environmental assessment or studies, or costs incurred in obtaining necessary municipal approvals; and 
The lead applicant must be a municipality, political subdivisions of a municipality or an economic development organization. Public-private partnerships are encouraged through the Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund program. 
Priority will be given to projects that can be completed within 3 years.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Applications for the Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund are now closed.

Note: Applicants can be considered for both the Site Readiness and Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund programs by checking a box in the application. For more information on the Site Readiness program, please visit this page.