Upcoming Training Events
SupplyRI is proud to provide suppliers with a network of partners and resources in other agencies for training, education, and development opportunities. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information about the following upcoming training events:
- How to get certified with the state as a minority-owned business
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- How to do business with Citizens Bank
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
- How and why you should become a certified veteran-owned business
Thursday, April 29, 2021
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2021 Manufacturing Awards Program |
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Registration to the virtual awards event on March 31, 2021 from 4:00pm - 5:30pm is available here. The event will include a video showcasing all the winning companies, interviews with a few of the honorees and live networking for all the attendees.
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Resource partner of the month: Multicultural Innovation Center (MIC) |
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The mission of the Multicultural Innovation Center (MIC) is to develop a multicultural business ecosystem across many cultures and ethnicities. MIC does this is by providing economic and business resources, research, advocacy, networking, and technical assistance.
MIC has been a vital partner with RI Commerce and SupplyRI, helping small businesses survive and then thrive during COVID-19. The organization has assisted small business owners obtain funding from the RestoreRI Grant, Adaptation Grant, Take it Outside Grant and more. These vital resources provided much-needed help to our state’s small businesses.
MIC continues to be a partner and assists small businesses with technical assistance to apply for SBA funding such as the PPP and EIDL loan programs.
MIC is on the front lines in the small business community, ready to help businesses in need of additional support.
Send an email to info@micat570.com to get in touch with MIC or click the button below to learn more.
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Results of RI Commerce COVID-19 Initiative
Business Adaptation Grant Program
The Business Adaptation Grant Program was designed to assist companies dramatically constrained and significantly impacted by the public health emergency resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic. The program successfully awarded $3.5 million in relief to approximately 109 local businesses with Rhode Island Commerce having received over 400 applications for this program.
Take It Outside Grant Program
The Take It Outside initiative has distributed more than $7.2 million to more than 100 intermediary organizations, including a recent addition of $760,000 to awardees. Funding for hundreds of heaters, tents, and igloos have gone to restaurants and retail establishments, school districts and municipalities as a result of this program. For more information about grant recipients, click here.
Remote Work Implementation Grant Program
Rhode Island Commerce has distributed more than $1.6M in resources to 389 businesses in 37 cities and towns. Of the 389 businesses, 246 are owned by women, people of color, veterans, low-to-moderate income individuals, or individuals with disabilities. This allowed 1,704 employees to work remotely, and another 647 to go partially remote.
Tech Support
Many businesses have struggled to transform their technology to continue to operate during the suppression phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rhode Island Commerce partnered with Rhode Island tech leaders to offer free coaching session to make this transformation easier. This program has helped 930 businesses with free technical support over 3,900 volunteer hours. This support includes setting up e-commerce, search engine optimization, and more. Click here to fill out a request for tech support.
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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Updates
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Borrowers may additionally be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.
The SBA is currently offering PPP loans until March 31, 2021. President Biden has also announced program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable.
To participate in the PPP:
1. Find a lender:
2. Identify a PPP loan loan type:
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First Draw PPP Loans: If you have not received a PPP loan before, First Draw PPP Loans are available to you.
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Second Draw PPP Loans: If you have previously received a PPP loan, certain businesses are eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
For more PPP information please click here.
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Not yet a part of the SupplyRI database? Click here to register as a supplier today!
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Business advisors at Rhode Island Commerce are standing by to assist you during the COVID-19 emergency. Complete this form and a business advisor will respond within one business day.
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Rhode Island Commerce provides comprehensive SBA and non-SBA related loan information online, including FAQ documents and recordings of webinars related to the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program), EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) and STEP (State Trade Expansion Program). Click here to learn more.
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The COVID-19 pandemic presents unprecedented circumstances for business and non-profit organizations in Rhode Island and throughout the country. Rhode Island Commerce has compiled these resources, including COVID-19 testing for local businesses interested in offering on-site rapid testing to their employees, to assist you in adapting to the current economic challenges and new ways of doing business.
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Best Regards,
Doris Blanchard
Assistant Director, SupplyRI
401.278.9127
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