Originally appearing: https://www.valleybreeze.com/2020-10-14/woonsocket-north-smithfield/city-receives-90000-take-it-outside-funds#.X4nE3NBKjIV
By: The Valley Breeze Staff
Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2020
WOONSOCKET – The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation has awarded a $90,000 grant to the city of Woonsocket as part of its “Take It Outside” initiative. Local business owners are eligible to apply for funds to support outdoor activities to help reduce the transmission rate of COVID-19. Woonsocket received one of the highest “Take It Outside” awards among the 41 grant recipients after presenting a compelling plan to RICC for improving the quality of life for city residents during the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding outdoor recreation opportunities, according to an announcement by Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt.
“Many Woonsocket residents, especially our seniors and children, have been cooped up for months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this grant will fund programs that offer them more recreational activities to venture outside for during our colder weather,” she said.
In addition to expanding outdoor dining capacity at local restaurants, the funds will be used to develop an outside activity area for the city’s library, initiate outdoor activities and food service for city seniors and make greater use of the bike path.
The grant supplements the city’s “Jump Start” program, which provides grants of up to $5,000 and loans of up to $10,000 for COVID-related costs to local businesses. Businesses can apply through the online portal on the city website under “Planning and Development.”
