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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM COMMUNITIES FOR OPEN SPACE RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announced that it is now accepting applications from municipalities for open space recreation acquisition and development grants. A total of $3,675,000 is available this year under three grant programs.Under two of the programs, the grants will provide up to 50 percent of funding to acquire, develop, or renovate outdoor recreation facilities. Three million dollars is available for grants of up to $300,000 each for large projects. Four hundred thousand dollars is available for grants of up to $25,000 each for projects of smaller cost. Under the third grant program, $275,000 will be awarded to "distressed communities" as defined by Rhode Island law. Eligible communities are Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, West Warwick, and Woonsocket. Grants awarded under the "distressed communities" program will be for 75 percent of the project cost for development and 100 percent of the cost for parkland acquisition. The maximum grant award under this program will be $55,000. Applications will be accepted through January 23, 2004, and will be reviewed and scored by the eight-member Rhode Island Recreation Resources Review Committee, made up of state and local government officials and representative of non-profit agencies. The highest scoring applications will be forwarded to the Director of DEM for review and approval. DEM expects to announce the grant awards in April. Grant applications, specific rules governing each grant program, and additional information is available from Joseph Dias at DEM's Division of Planning and Development at 222-2776 ext. 4301. Information and downloadable applications are also available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "P&D local grants" under "Topics." Funding for this round of projects comes from the state's open space bond authorizations of 1989, 1998, and 2000. Under the last round of grants for recreation acquisition and development, in 2001, out of 84 applications received, 46 projects in 29 communities across the state were funded. More than 100 acres of land ¾ from urban playgrounds to scenic beachfront ¾ were acquired for recreational and community development projects that expanded the recreational opportunities available to Rhode Islanders, enhanced the state's efforts to preserve open space, and added to the quality of life in local communities. -30- |
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