WaterFire Gets $600K - Commerce Gives $300K, Providence Council to Now Use $300K in Stimulus Funds

WaterFire Gets $600K - Commerce Gives $300K, Providence Council to Now Use $300K in Stimulus Funds

The State of Rhode Island -- and Providence City Council -- are now going to provide WaterFire with financial support coming out of the pandemic.

GoLocal first reported last Friday that WaterFire Chief Executive Officer Peter Mello said the organization could cease to exist, following the City Council Finance Committee vote last Thursday not to fund their $300,000 request for federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Now, the State of Rhode Island has pledged its support -- and the City Council has changed its tune.

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“The Providence City Council will amend an ordinance, recently passed by the Committee on Finance, approving more than $42 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments to include an additional $300,000 for WaterFire,” the city council office announced on Monday. 

“The funding will allow the City’s venerable arts and culture institution to relaunch WaterFire in September, providing a much-needed boost to downtown’s tourism and hospitality sector. Commerce RI will also match the City’s investment with an additional $300,000 award to WaterFire," the statement continued. 

The $300,000 from the state includes $150,000 in Rhode Island’s tourism budget — and $150,000 from the Commerce budget. 

“WaterFire is one of our most renowned events,” said Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor during Monday’s Commerce meeting. “We have communicated that if the city saw fit to invest $300K we would find the way to do the same.”

"We know that Providence has been hit perhaps the hardest in terms of the business community," said Governor Dan McKee at the Commerce meeting, noting the state is "getting people back to work with the 401 works program."

“We have heard loud and clear that we need to help spark Providence’s tourism and hospitality sector, and the relighting of WaterFire’s braziers will do just that, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to enjoy a beautiful evening outside, stay at our hotels, and dine at our world-class restaurants,” said City Council President John Igliozzi on Monday. “After discussing this situation with Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, I’m also thrilled to share that Commerce RI will be investing an additional $300,000 to ensure that WaterFire burns bright.”