Originally appearing: https://news.yahoo.com/applications-open-newports-outside-grants-190843407.html
By: Rachel Nunes
Posted: Monday, October 12, 2020
NEWPORT, RI — Newport businesses can now apply for reimbursement to help “Take It Outside” this fall. The city was awarded $75,000 from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which will be distributed among local businesses.
The funding comes are part of Gov. Gina Raimondo’s “Take It Outside” campaign, which encourages businesses to move outdoors to help reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. The funding is meant to help pay for costs associated with outdoor business, such as lighting, heating lamps or tents.
To be eligible for funding from the city, businesses must be located in Newport, be a restaurant or retail store and have 50 employees or fewer. More information about eligibility and how to apply is on the city’s website.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-some, first-served basis, and funding is limited, the city said. Full or partial reimbursements will be provided to rent or buy personal protective equipment, heaters or tents to keep businesses operating outdoors as the weather turns colder. Anyone questions can be directed to the city’s Director of Planning and Economic Development, Patricia Reynolds, by emailing PReynolds@CityofNewport.com or calling 401-845-5450.
Raimondo launched the Take It Outside campaign in late August, announcing $1 million in funding in mid-September. After the state received a flood of “excellent quality” proposals, she announced the total would be raised to $5 million, split across two rounds. The first round of funding was awarded to 41 municipalities and organizations.
