Woonsocket In Line For Money To Boost Small Business

WOONSOCKET, RI—The city is in line to collect $80,000 to ultimately get a boat dock near Market Square, the governor's office said this week. The money is a grant from the Main Street Improvement Fund. Nine cities and towns are expected to receive the "streetscape grants," according to the press release. The others are Barrington, East Providence, New Shoreham, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Warren, and Westerly.

The money is given "on a competitive basis for improvements to the state's commercial districts, and projects can receive up to $300,000 in funding," the governor's office said. But applicants have to match 30 percent of the award.

"Rhode Island's 'Main Streets' are vitally important corridors of commerce for our state's cities and towns," said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. "These projects were identified by municipalities as priorities for revitalization, and we are pleased to support them via these investments."

A final vote on the projects is expected at the Commerce Corporation's upcoming meeting.

If successful, Woonsocket will "receive $80,000 to create waterfront access in the Market Square area in an effort to expand open space directly on the river that will allow for installation of a boat dock. This dock would provide a landing site for the river cruise tour boat Explorer, a 40-passenger tour boat that provides regular and chartered educational tours of the Blackstone River every summer."

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