$124M American Rescue Plan Ordinance Builds an Equitable, Resilient Recovery for Providence
THE TASK FORCE MONEY TEAM
Dear Neighbor
After a robust 90-day community engagement process, the City’s COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Task Force has submitted their report with recommendations on how to invest Providence’s American Rescue Plan funding. These recommendations are informed by direct engagements with over 1,500 Providence residents, business owners, and community members through surveys, community meetings, and direct door-knocking in hard-hit neighborhoods. I want to thank Task Force co-chairs Angela Ankoma and Oscar Mejias, and all of the Task Force members, for their commitment to this process.
Based on these recommendations, I have now introduced an ordinance to the Providence City Council with a proposal for how to spend the City’s remaining American Rescue Plan funds.
THE TASK FORCE MONEY RESCUE PLAN
This ordinance honors the spending priorities and recommendations of the Task Force, based on community feedback received over their 90 days of work. Those spending priorities include investments in housing and homelessness, businesses and economic development, and youth and community investments, among others.
The Providence City Council will now begin to discuss this proposed ordinance at upcoming City Council meetings.
I encourage everyone to stay involved in this process. To receive notifications on the dates of upcoming meetings where the ordinance will be reviewed by the Providence City Council, as well as updates on other future engagement opportunities. You can sign-up for the City’s new Rescue Plan Newsletter and follow the City of Providence on Facebook and Twitter.
As a reminder, the City’s COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program—an American Rescue Plan-funded program that provides $2,500 grants to small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic—is still accepting applications. To confirm your eligibility, receive support, or begin the application process, visit our Rescue Plan website.
Thank you for your feedback and engagement through this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Your participation is vital to the success of Providence’s recovery.
Sincerely,
Jorge O. Elorza
Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island