Applications are now open. Click here to download the application.
To learn more about the RI Ready program, a statewide industrial site readiness initiative, please visit RIReady.org.
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation will begin accepting applications for the Site Readiness Program on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. The Site Readiness Program partners with municipalities and/or developers to fund municipal technical assistance and site-specific planning and improvements.
This grant provides flexible funding intended to meet specific challenges faced by cities, towns, and developers. Although there is no maximum award amount, commercial and industrial projects are generally awarded up to $125,000, and residential projects are generally awarded up to $75,000. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate other funding or supports for the project in the application. Projects from cities and towns requesting technical assistance intended to catalyze growth and development will be prioritized this application cycle.
Applicants seeking a second round or additional site readiness program funding will be considered. Applicants seeking a second grant through the program should include the reasons a second grant would be beneficial to the project and the economic growth of the state.
Funding will be available in two categories: (1) site specific planning/improvements and (2) municipal assistance.
Site Specific Planning/Improvements
Funding is available to support the planned or future development of specific sites. The activities the Corporation will consider funding include:
- Site specific planning and pre-development activities including property surveys, master planning, engineering surveys, or environmental studies.
- Site specific project improvements including activities that will support planned or future build-out of significant sites including infrastructure improvements, land assembly activities, site clearing or demolition, and building improvements.
Urban projects that are a minimum of two acres or 100,000 square feet of existing or planned building space, and suburban or rural projects that are a minimum of 10 acres will be prioritized for funding.
Municipal Assistance
Funding through the program is also available to cities and towns to assist in the development of strategies and plans that spur development and growth in support of the municipality’s development goals. The activities could include:
- Training/Education for planning/zoning board members as well as Building Officials and Inspectors.
- Assistance with writing zoning ordinances, updating comprehensive plan.
- Providing strategic planning support.
- Providing development-coordination, or marketing support that will lead to the development or redevelopment of significant sites in a municipality.
Applications will be available at https://commerceri.com/site-readiness/. Applications will be accepted via email at SiteReadiness@CommerceRI.com through Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 5:00pm.
Note: Applicants can be considered for both the Site Readiness and Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund programs. See application for more information. For more information on the Main Street program, please visit: https://commerceri.com/incentives/main-street-ri-streetscape-improvement-fund/.
