2026 -- H 8316

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LC006064

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $150,000 TO THE MAIN STREET RHODE ISLAND

PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Fogarty, Cortvriend, McEntee, Kazarian,
Paplauskas, Stewart, Edwards, Caldwell, and Read

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, In 2025, the General Assembly passed a Joint Resolution that established

the three (3) year Main Street Rhode Island program to be managed by Grow Smart Rhode

Island, and which became law on July 3, 2025; and

     WHEREAS, Article 1 Sub A as amended of the House Budget appropriated $125,000 to

fund the first year of the program; and

     WHEREAS, The law empowered the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to accept

monies and disburse them directly to Grow Smart Rhode Island through an existing fund, for the

implementation of the program; and

     WHEREAS, Main Street Rhode Island launched immediately on the passage of the law

in 2025, and eleven (11) district cohorts have formed throughout the state in the first year,

representing ten (10) cities and towns; and

     WHEREAS, There is a desire to continue the program in earnest in year two (2), to

advance the work of the current eleven (11) district cohorts, and to bring additional districts into

the program; now therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That an appropriation in the amount of one hundred fifty thousand dollars

($150,000) be directed to fund Main Street Rhode Island in FY 2027; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is hereby empowered to

accept and disburse these monies intended for Main Street Rhode Island to Grow Smart Rhode

Island in FY 2027, on or before the expiration date of December 31, 2026, in order to allow the

appropriation of any portion of the monies held in the fund created pursuant to chapter 64.27 of

title 42 to Grow Smart Rhode Island to support expenditures related to the administration of and

execution of the Main Street America Four Points Approach; and be it further

     RESOLVED, The state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders

upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time

to time required, upon receipt of property authenticated vouchers.

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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 $150,000 TO THE MAIN STREET RHODE ISLAND

PROGRAM

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of one hundred fifty

thousand dollars ($150,000) to the Main Street Rhode Island Program.

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