Jamestown and Portsmouth are getting a total of $142,500 in grants from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank’s Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program (MIGP). This is part of a bigger $3.3 million package being given to 11 cities and towns across Rhode Island for various infrastructure projects.
Jamestown is receiving $112,500 to study the feasibility of its public water system. They’re looking to find potential new water sources to support and improve the town’s existing water infrastructure.
Portsmouth is getting $30,000 to install 20 new lighting fixtures in and around Elmhurst Park. The goal is to boost local tourism and support more activities in the park.
William Fazioli, who runs the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, says these grants will help communities tackle the infrastructure needs they’ve identified as top priorities.
The MIGP was set up to give competitive grants to municipalities across the state for important infrastructure projects. These projects aim to create jobs, drive economic growth, develop and fix up housing, and support community development.
To get the grant money, towns and cities need to chip in at least 25% of the project cost themselves.
The money for Jamestown and Portsmouth is just part of a bigger push that includes a range of projects. There are plans for upgrading public parks in Warwick and Providence, and improving stormwater management in East Providence.
A committee made up of people from the Infrastructure Bank, Rhode Island Commerce, and the Division of Statewide Planning looked at all the applications and decided which projects should get funding.
