Providence Finance Committee Approves $42 Million In Stimulus Funds For Small Business Relief, Youth Investments, Free Public Internet Access & More
Last night, the Providence City Council’s Committee on Finance approved more than $42 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for investments in key priorities including summer programming, early learning, free public internet access at city parks and recreation centers, anti-violence, homeless intervention, street sweeping and sewer repairs, libraries, and relief for Providence’s small businesses. A full summary of APRA funding approved is included below.
“We are very fortunate to be able to utilize these much-needed American Rescue Plan Act stimulus dollars to help the City of Providence rebound from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Providence City Council President John J. Igliozzi. “I want to thank Mayor Elorza and Councilwoman Ryan for working together to quickly develop and pass this ordinance to get these resources out the door and to our city’s residents, youth, and small businesses. These are smart investments in programs that will have immediate impacts for our residents and infrastructure that will pay dividends for years to come. Investments like bringing free public internet access to all of Providence’s parks and community centers so our residents have access to digital resources for learning, doing business, and so much more.”
“Providence residents, youth, and our small businesses were all hit hard by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but with these American Rescue Plan Act resources we are laying the foundation for a tremendous comeback,” said Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, Chair of the Finance Committee. “Working with my colleagues on the Council and with Mayor Elorza, we collaboratively developed this list of key priorities that will address some of the immediate impacts of the pandemic, while also making longer term investments in our city. I am particularly pleased to see investments in our youth summer basketball league, free public internet access for our youth and families, street sweeping and sewer repairs, and direct relief for our small businesses. This is only our first round of ARPA investments. As we receive additional ARPA funds, the Finance Committee in collaboration with Mayor Elorza will continue to listen to the community to identify additional investments to move our city forward. We encourage everyone to participate in this process and to share your thoughts and ideas for how we can build Providence back better and stronger.”
The first round ARPA investments ordinance will next go before the full City Council for final approval, expected by the end of July. This is the first allocation of substantial ARPA funds the City of Providence is set to receive.
ARPA Summer Programming:
Summer Camp for Providence Residents $ 600,000
Summer Jobs for Providence Youth $ 1,000,000
Night Basketball $ 80,000
TOTAL ELIGIBLE SUMMER PROGRAMMING $ 1,680,000
ARPA Youth Investments:
Early Learning Infrastructure $ 1,000,000
Youth and Family Broadband Access $ 1,000,000
TOTAL YOUTH INVESTMENT FUNDS $ 2,000,000
ARPA Anti-Violence Investments
Mentoring Program $ 1,100,000
Non-violence training $ 500,000
Year-round youth jobs $ 1,000,000
TOTAL ANTI-VIOLENCE INVESTMENTS $ 2,600,000
ARPA Funding to Providence Redevelopment Agency (PRA)
Roger Williams Park Gateway $ 4,000,000
TOTAL FUNDING TO PRA $ 4,000,000
ARPA Grants to Libraries:
Providence Community Library $ 500,000
Providence Public Library $ 100,000
TOTAL GRANTS TO LIBRARIES $ 600,000
ARPA Grants to Non-profits:
Homelessness Intervention $ 500,000
Providence Center $ 187,339
TOTAL GRANTS TO NON-PROFITS $ 687,339
ARPA Sewer Water Investment
Street Sweeping and Sewer Repair $ 3,000,000
TOTAL FUNDING $ 3,000,000
FY21 Revenue Recovery $19,457,352
TOTAL FUNDING TO GENERAL FUND $19,457,352
ARPA Small business relief program:
Relief for small business in Providence $ 7,000,000
TOTAL FUNDING $ 7,000,000
ARPA Administration:
FY21 Administrative Expenditures $ 1,220,000
TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDING $ 1,220,000
GRAND TOTAL FUNDING 4/29/2021 – 12/31/2024 $42,344,691
