Will
Charlestown (or the Narragansetts) apply?
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that $5 million in outdoor recreation matching grants is available to help local municipalities and Native American tribes acquire, develop, or renovate outdoor recreational facilities in their communities.
The
DEM Recreation Acquisition and Development Grant Program's 2020 grant round is
now open, with a deadline of December 11, 2019. Funding provided through the
2018 Green Economy and Clean Water Bond – which Rhode Island voters approved by
a margin of almost 80 percent last November – is capitalizing the grants.
Since
the inception of DEM's community recreation grant program in 1988, more than
500 grants have been awarded and over $73 million invested in improvements in
all 39 Rhode Island communities.
Recreation
development grants require a 20 percent community match. Applicants can apply
for either small grants, for grant funding up to $100,000, or large grants, for
grant funding up to $400,000.
Recreation
acquisition grants require a 50 percent match and are capped at $400,000.
Applicants are encouraged to review the grant instructions available at
www.dem.ri.gov/plangrants.
Electronic applications are encouraged and should be forwarded to Lisa McGreavy in the Division of Planning & Development at lisa.mcgreavy@dem.ri.gov by 3 PM on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.
Proposals
and supporting materials also may be mailed to Ms. McGreavy's attention at DEM,
Division of Planning & Development, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI
02908. Rhode Island municipalities and recognized Native American tribes are
eligible to apply.
Rhode
Island's outdoor recreation industry is an increasingly important part of our
state's economy, contributing an estimated $3.3 billion annually and supporting
36,000 jobs. As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the
state, municipal facilities play an important role in beautifying communities,
supporting public health, and promoting a cleaner environment.
DEM's
Green Space programs – which include Outdoor Recreation, Local Open Space, and
Recreational Trail grants – fund land conservation, recreational land
acquisition and development, and recreational trail development and
improvements statewide.
Rhode
Island's historic parks, bikeways, and green spaces provide opportunity for
public enjoyment – in addition to improving the health of the environment,
strengthening the state's climate resilience, and supporting the economy.
According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode
Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 local
jobs.
For
more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow
us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter
(@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.
Related links
