S2323

	2024 -- S 2323
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	LC004478
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024
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	J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK
	BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

	Introduced By: Senators Bissaillon, Mack, Acosta, and Bell
	Date Introduced: February 12, 2024
	Referred To: Senate Finance
1	WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) was formed in 2011
2	for the purposes of advancing business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority
3	businesses in Rhode Island; and
4	WHEREAS, RIBBA assists those businesses through business development,
5	entrepreneurship training, business advocacy, contracting, workforce development, and access to
6	capital; and
7	WHEREAS, RIBBA’s membership includes those individuals and businesses of all sizes
8	regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, abilities, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation,
9	and gender identity and the services and programs offered by RIBBA are open to all Rhode
10	Islanders; and
11	WHEREAS, The organization is one hundred percent funded through government grants,
12	corporate grants and public support; now, therefore be it
13	RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not
14	otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2024-2025, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars
15	($500,000) to the Rhode Island Black Business Association to assist its efforts and services to
16	entrepreneurs, business owners, and employers in Rhode Island; and the state controller is hereby
17	authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum,
18	or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated

1	vouchers.
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	LC004478
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK
	BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
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1	This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to the Rhode
2	Island Black Business Association.
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	LC004478
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