Where Did Rhode Island's $1.25 Billion Federal Stimulus Go?

Cranston RI

22 December, 2020

3:00 PM

Description

PROVIDENCE, RI — Just a few days before the end of the 2020 calendar year, all of Rhode Island's CARES Act stimulus, $1.25 billion in total, has been spoken for. Gov. Gina Raimondo outlined where exactly all that money went during this week's public news conference. The money was divided amongst six categories: the state's health response to the coronavirus pandemic, supporting the state's economy and businesses, individual supports, education, cities and towns and the state government's response. The largest chunk of the funding by far went to businesses and the economy, which made up for more than $488.7 million. These payments included Take It Outside grants, direct payments to businesses during the three-week pause, workforce development and more. A large chunk of these funds went to the state's hospitals at the beginning of the pandemic, when elective procedures were put on hold. Because of this, revenues plummeted, and the financial support was needed to keep hospitals operational during the public health crisis, Raimondo explained. Even though business support was the largest category of funding, Raimondo acknowledged that struggling small businesses need more. "I'll be the first to say it's not enough," she said. "Survival is the name of the game ... 2021 is right around the corner." The public health response took up an additional $129.3 million. This included funding for testing, contact tracing, personal protective equipment, National Guard costs and more. Broken down further, here's where exactly that money went: Field hospital operation costs: $23 millionContact tracing programs: $6 millionPersonal protective equipment: $23 millionCOVID-19 testing efforts: $33 millionCommunity mitigation efforts: $44 million The remaining four categories are broken down below. CategoryDescriptionFunding AmountIndividual supportsCash assistance, food supports, housing and rental assistance$90.7 millionEducationAssistance to K-12 schools and higher education$116.8 millionMunicipalitiesEligible personnel spending for pandemic response and related expenditures $136.5 millionState governmentEligible personnel spending for pandemic response in 2020 and 202 fiscal years$288.1 millionRaimondo also applauded the Back To Work RI program, which was funded by $44 million of the business and economy money. Since the program was launched in July, thousands of Rhode Islanders have enrolled in the program, which offers job training for out-of-work residents with a guaranteed job at the end. By the end of the year, the state is on track to have 5,000 graduates of the program, Raimondo said, congratulating those who "took the leap" during the turbulent times. There are still thousands of slots available to those interested in joining the program. "We'll get to 5,000 by the end of the year ... but the business partners have already pledged 7,000 jobs so far," Raimondo said. "It's free and it's effective ... We promise you, if you graduate, you will get a job." Along with free job training, the program offers participants other financial support they need to stay on track, such as child care, transportation or housing assistance. To learn more about the program or apply, visit the Back To Work RI website. Read more:Most RI Residents Would Get $600 Payments Under Relief AgreementRI's Coronavirus Numbers Show Improvement Following PauseRhode Island's 2021 State Budget Signed Into LawNew RI Nursing Home Rules Allow For 'Essential Caregivers'