Washington Bridge Small Business Grant Program

*This program is no longer accepting applications.

Please note: For questions regarding your application to Providence or East Providence’s Washington Bridge Small Business Grant Program, please contact Merrie Bautista at the Rhode Island Small Business HUB division of Skills for Rhode Island’s Future at 401-680-5964, or via email at mbautista@skillsforri.com.

RI Small Business Grant Support - Outside Providence Area

For businesses located in Rhode Island, but outside of East Providence and Providence, who have applied to Rhode Island Commerce’s Small Business Grant Program, please contact rismallbiz@commerceri.com or call 401-278-9100 if you need more information or have any questions.

Submit Updates to RI Commerce Application

To update your application or submit additional documents, please contact EOC.Info@commerce.ri.gov.

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 are being prioritized based on percentage of revenue loss until funds are fully expended.

Grants for businesses located in Providence and East Providence are 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 for businesses in Providence and businesses located outside Providence and East Providence closed on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

The application period for businesses in East Providence closed on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for this grant program, businesses must have met 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

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.

Need Help?

General Questions

For general questions about the grant program not answered in the above FAQ document, please contact rismallbiz@commerceri.com or call 401-278-9100.

Application Update & Document Submission

To update your application or submit additional documents, please contact EOC.Info@commerce.ri.gov.