Commerce RI to match with an additional $300,000 investment in WaterFire.
The Providence City Council will amend an ordinance, recently passed by the Committee on Finance, approving more than $42 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments to include an additional $300,000 for WaterFire. The funding will allow the City’s venerable arts and culture institution to relaunch WaterFire in September, providing a much-needed boost to downtown’s tourism and hospitality sector. Commerce RI will also match the City’s investment with an additional $300,000 award to WaterFire.
“After extensive conversations with Barnaby Evans of WaterFire and other stakeholders, the Council is pleased to announce the use of $300,000 in ARPA funding to allow the organization to once again light up downtown beginning in September,” said Providence City Council President John Igliozzi. “Our goal with this first round of ARPA funds is to address immediate community needs coming out of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have heard loud and clear that we need to help spark Providence’s tourism and hospitality sector, and the relighting of WaterFire’s braziers will do just that, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to enjoy a beautiful evening outside, stay at our hotels, and dine at our world-class restaurants. After discussing this situation with Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, I’m also thrilled to share that Commerce RI will be investing an additional $300,000 to ensure that WaterFire burns bright.”
“Waterfire is an iconic tradition with a huge economic and cultural impact on our City and State,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “Another year without a Waterfire would have been unimaginable and I am proud to have worked with the Providence City Council to make sure that Waterfire returns to Downtown Providence.”
“The Providence City Council has a long track record of supporting WaterFire including providing over $489,000 in direct support, passing a tax stabilization for the organization, and entering into a Partnership Agreement waiving parking revenue and providing for police details,” said Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan. “One of our priorities in making these first round of ARPA investments has been to support our small businesses who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. After hearing from many stakeholders including restaurants and cultural venues, we agree that WaterFire can help provide the needed shot in the arm to bring visitors back to our great City to enjoy all downtown has to offer. This $300,000 is both an investment in kickstarting our tourism and hospitality sector and in one of Providence’s most loved arts and culture institutions. Finally, the City Council is committed to working with WaterFire to help the organization develop a more sustainable business model.”
“I want to thank Council President Igliozzi and Councilwoman Ryan for working with us to help bring back WaterFire to downtown Providence in September,” said Barnaby Evans, Executive Artistic Director of WaterFire. “This funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, along with the State’s, will allow us to hire back event staff, install the equipment, and then host fall WaterFire evenings that will bring thousands of visitors to downtown. We know that relighting our braziers is also going to attract visitors and ignite economic activity at a time when so many of our City’s incredible hotels and restaurants are rebounding from a very challenging year. WaterFire is back, and we thank the City Council for this funding and for being such a dedicated partner for many years.”
