COVID-19 Resource Guide
Updated: 3/17/22, 9:24am
We will be updating this page with links to resources for our small business members and community members as they become available, so please keep checking back for up-to-date information.
We will be updating this page with links to resources for our small business members and community members as they become available, so please keep checking back for up-to-date information.
CONTINUE TO SHOP LOCAL & SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ECONOMY
We all know that business can be challenging. The conditions that are present today increase the challenge. If we all do one small thing to help our members, collectively we can have a huge impact. Our members are hardworking people that are always there for us, let’s be there for them.
* Buy gift certificates today to use later or to give as gifts
* To avoid crowds at stores, order your products online or over the phone and have them delivered or request curbside pick-up if those services are available.
* Keep your subscription services or memberships (gyms, art classes, music lessons, dance, etc.)
*Leave positive reviews for businesses that you frequent on sites like Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Facebook.
* Reach out to local business owners that you know and ask them directly how you can help. They may have an idea specific to their business.
RI Commerce Corporation: COVID-19 Resources
RI Alliance For Business Resilience Resources
CDC: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses & Employers
OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration): COVID-19 Guide
Facebook For Business Resource Hub
Google For Small Business: Resource Page
RI Small Business Development Center
RICommerce Corporation: Emergency Grants and Funding
Federal Resources For U.S. Small Businesses
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A full list of Executive Orders from the Rhode Island Governor's office can be found here.
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FINANCIAL RESOURCES
RI Rebounds Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Grant Program
The RI Rebounds Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Grant Program will provide up to $8 million in direct payments to businesses and organizations that suffered significant negative impacts – generally greater than 35% revenue loss for 2021 as compared to 2019 for purposes of the program – caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The RI Rebounds Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Grant Program is divided into 3 distinct funding areas:
* Restaurants and event professionals;
* Hotels, travel agencies, and tour operators; and
* Arts and culture.
Key dates: The application will be available and open on Wednesday, March 16th and will close on Wednesday, April 6th.
Click here to apply to the RI Rebounds Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Grant Program.
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Microenterprise Stabilization Grant Program
Rhode Island’s microenterprise stabilization grant program is designed to assist small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and left out of federal stimulus programs to-date. The program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to qualifying microenterprises. Funds may be used for working capital to cover business costs, such as rent, staffing, utilities.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must be a bona fide business entity with between two and five employees in a participating municipality (below), and one or more of the business’s employees must be an owner. The business owner(s)’ total household income must be 80% or less of their area median income, based on family size. You can view 80% of the area median income for Rhode Island regions here.
All applications will be processed via participating municipalities, which are:
Barrington
Bristol
Central Falls
Cumberland
Hopkinton
Middletown
Newport
North Providence
North Smithfield
Smithfield
South Kingstown
Warren
West Warwick
Westerly
If your business is in one of the participating towns above, please reach out directly for more information on how to apply, view each town’s contact information here.
Don’t see the city or town in which your business is located listed here? Sign up to receive email updates on new additions to the program.
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OTHER RESOURCES
ReStart RI Initiative
Led by SCORE Rhode Island, the ReStart RI initiative launched to provide assistance to Rhode Island and South Coast Massachusetts small businesses and startups by providing the tools, techniques and business advice to get them back up and running successfully.
The best way for you to join the charge towards recovery is to register for their weekly web-based interactive workshops. They will focus on adapting business models to the challenges introduced by COVID-19 — from managing cash flow to the latest regulations.
Their calls will also include a live Q&A so experienced professionals can help you with your exact questions.
**********
Skills for Rhode Island's Future & EmployRI Initiative
Skills RI is partnering with the R.I. Department of Labor & Training to ensure we all get back on our feet and get back to work. For details, visit employri.org or check out the helpful resources link below.
Was your job affected by COVID-19? Your next opportunity is waiting.
Thousands of workers are needed for immediate hire.
We all know that business can be challenging. The conditions that are present today increase the challenge. If we all do one small thing to help our members, collectively we can have a huge impact. Our members are hardworking people that are always there for us, let’s be there for them.
* Buy gift certificates today to use later or to give as gifts
* To avoid crowds at stores, order your products online or over the phone and have them delivered or request curbside pick-up if those services are available.
* Keep your subscription services or memberships (gyms, art classes, music lessons, dance, etc.)
*Leave positive reviews for businesses that you frequent on sites like Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Facebook.
* Reach out to local business owners that you know and ask them directly how you can help. They may have an idea specific to their business.
RI Commerce Corporation: COVID-19 Resources
RI Alliance For Business Resilience Resources
CDC: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses & Employers
OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration): COVID-19 Guide
Facebook For Business Resource Hub
Google For Small Business: Resource Page
RI Small Business Development Center
RICommerce Corporation: Emergency Grants and Funding
Federal Resources For U.S. Small Businesses
**********************************
A full list of Executive Orders from the Rhode Island Governor's office can be found here.
*******************************************
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
RI Rebounds Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Grant Program
The RI Rebounds Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Grant Program will provide up to $8 million in direct payments to businesses and organizations that suffered significant negative impacts – generally greater than 35% revenue loss for 2021 as compared to 2019 for purposes of the program – caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The RI Rebounds Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Grant Program is divided into 3 distinct funding areas:
* Restaurants and event professionals;
* Hotels, travel agencies, and tour operators; and
* Arts and culture.
Key dates: The application will be available and open on Wednesday, March 16th and will close on Wednesday, April 6th.
Click here to apply to the RI Rebounds Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Grant Program.
**********
Microenterprise Stabilization Grant Program
Rhode Island’s microenterprise stabilization grant program is designed to assist small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and left out of federal stimulus programs to-date. The program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to qualifying microenterprises. Funds may be used for working capital to cover business costs, such as rent, staffing, utilities.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must be a bona fide business entity with between two and five employees in a participating municipality (below), and one or more of the business’s employees must be an owner. The business owner(s)’ total household income must be 80% or less of their area median income, based on family size. You can view 80% of the area median income for Rhode Island regions here.
All applications will be processed via participating municipalities, which are:
Barrington
Bristol
Central Falls
Cumberland
Hopkinton
Middletown
Newport
North Providence
North Smithfield
Smithfield
South Kingstown
Warren
West Warwick
Westerly
If your business is in one of the participating towns above, please reach out directly for more information on how to apply, view each town’s contact information here.
Don’t see the city or town in which your business is located listed here? Sign up to receive email updates on new additions to the program.
**********************************
OTHER RESOURCES
ReStart RI Initiative
Led by SCORE Rhode Island, the ReStart RI initiative launched to provide assistance to Rhode Island and South Coast Massachusetts small businesses and startups by providing the tools, techniques and business advice to get them back up and running successfully.
- Access to no-cost mentoring for business owners
- Continuing education to address the evolving times
- Assistance in sourcing and securing business financing
The best way for you to join the charge towards recovery is to register for their weekly web-based interactive workshops. They will focus on adapting business models to the challenges introduced by COVID-19 — from managing cash flow to the latest regulations.
Their calls will also include a live Q&A so experienced professionals can help you with your exact questions.
**********
Skills for Rhode Island's Future & EmployRI Initiative
Skills RI is partnering with the R.I. Department of Labor & Training to ensure we all get back on our feet and get back to work. For details, visit employri.org or check out the helpful resources link below.
Was your job affected by COVID-19? Your next opportunity is waiting.
Thousands of workers are needed for immediate hire.
