Resources

 

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General Inquiries
For free and confidential assistance with housing, food, childcare, and more, please dial 211

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For Prescription Drug Help
Pharmacies across the State are offering free prescription delivery. Click here for the latest list of pharmacies ready to deliver to your door.

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For Meal Assistance
​The City of Newport is partnering with RI Meals on Wheels to provide free meal deliveries to seniors in Newport. If you have not signed up but feel that you do qualify, please contact Carmela Geer at carmateach@gmail.com . This service will be available through the month of April.

More Information
​City of Newport Weekly Food Distribution Program
Martin Luther King Center

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Other Resources
Edward King House
United Way of Rhode Island 

Reopening Rhode Island

Please refer to the latest gudielines on Reopening Rhode Island on the State's dedicated ReOpeningRI.com website. 

Retail and grocery stores 

All retailers are asked to provide specific guidelines for social distancing, sanitation, and crowd prevention that are currently in effective. All businesses have been asked to comply with social distancing guidelines and to maintain a high level of sanitation and employee hygiene in line with CDC guidance. MORE

 

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Small business support

Restore RI Grant Program
 Applications for the Restore RI Grant Program are now being accepted through Commerce RI.

After you’ve read all the information provided by Commerce RI,and gathered the required documents, please CLICK HERE to begin Part One of the application.

Restore RI is targeted at small businesses that have been most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide eligible businesses with grants of up to $15,000. Businesses with more than one employee (in addition to the owner) but not more than 20 are eligible for this program. Sole proprietors with at least one employee are also eligible to apply. Note: restaurants and caterers are not subject to the employee cap for purposes of qualification.

For any additional questions about the Restore RI program or application, please email the RI Commerce Small Business Team at info@commerceri.com.
 

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Tech Help

​Rhode Island small business owners can now receive 45 minutes of free tech support via teleconference or over the phone. This service has been coordinated by Rhode Island Commerce and is being staffed by volunteers from some of Rhode Island’s leading tech companies. Visit Commerce’s website or call 521-HELP to get started.

Business Recovery Plan:
The Rhode Island Superior Court is rolling out a new program to assist businesses that have been significantly disrupted by this virus. This program will give qualifying businesses vital protection so that they can get back on their feet after this crisis is over. MORE
Information on SBA Disaster Loan Assistance 
​​The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Governor Raimondo's application for assistance and will offer low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Rhode Island small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). MORE

Microsoft Free Offerings 
​For businesses, municipalities, K-12 and other entities, Microsoft is providing six months of Office 365 tools for free to enable remote collaboration, file sharing and video conferencing. They’re also offering free assistance to set up these tools. MORE

 The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training has set up a COVID-19 Assistance Line and email address (401-462-2020; dlt.covid19@dlt.ri.gov). They are intended to provide support to people regarding COVID-19 and employment issues. The phone line is staffed Monday to Friday during business hours. FACTSHEET  | MORE

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