Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - October 16, 2020

HOT

Hugh Clements and Viola Davis

Rhode Island native Viola Davis and Providence Chief of Police Hugh Clements are the recipients of this year's Nonviolence Institute awards. 

The mission of the Nonviolence Institute is to teach, by word and example, the principles and practices of nonviolence, and to foster a community.

This year, the awards ceremony was held virtually, due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

"You have no idea the impact, you are making, and you don’t understand how much you are saving people. I thank you for this award and it shows me that I am doing my part," said Davis in receiving the Community Impact Award for her continued support of the Nonviolence Institute as well as numerous causes in our community.

Davis is an Academy Award, Emmy Award and Tony Award-winning actress, who has graced the cover of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People -- and landed on Forbes' Top Ten Highest Paid Actresses list. 

“There is no greater worthwhile cause than to save a life. There’s power in saving a life, in saving a family and there is no greater cause that you can give to than to the Nonviolence Institute," said Clements, who was award the Sister Ann Keefe Award. 

HOT

NBA's Adam Silver

As the NFL stumbles and bumbles, the NBA had a near-perfect and COVID-free mini-season and playoffs. 

The bubble approach is a lesson for the NFL, other sports leagues, and maybe all businesses.

HOT

Expansion of Restore RI Program

Governor Gina Raimondo and Rhode Island Commerce on Wednesday announced major expansions to the Restore Rhode Island Grant Program including increasing the size of potential grant awards up to $30,000 – doubling the original grant sizes.

Eligibility for the program is also being increased to allow non-profit organizations and private child care facilities that have not received other CARES Act funding opportunities. These changes will be implemented over the next week. 

Since the Restore Rhode Island grant program began accepting applications about 10 weeks ago, over 1,400 businesses have already received grants totaling more than $11M. Additionally, hundreds of businesses are working their way through the application process. 

More on Expansion

“This pandemic has been devastating for our small businesses, which we know are the lifeblood of Rhode Island’s economy,” said Raimondo. “It’s critical that we provide more financial resources to these businesses as they work to stay afloat and navigate this storm.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the small business and non-profit communities especially hard,” said Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. “We are pleased to expand Restore program eligibility once again so we can assist child care centers and non-profit organizations. In addition, we are establishing a new program for businesses that need to change direction or adapt significantly in order to make it through this crisis. If you want to find out more about these grant programs, please join one of our upcoming information or technical assistance sessions.”

Rhode Island Commerce today also announced a new grant program for Rhode Island companies whose businesses have been significantly impacted because of the pandemic and have been unable to continue their normal operations.  Beginning next week, Commerce will begin accepting applications for Business Adaptation grants. Business can apply for competitive grants of up to $50,000 to adapt their business. The program is being funded through the state’s Coronavirus Relief fund and is capped at $1.8M.

Applicants who have already received Restore grants and have expenses not covered under their original grant application will be eligible to request additional funding under a streamlined process. Rhode Island Commerce will be holding an information session on these changes on Tuesday, October 20 at 10:30 AM. 

More information on the Business Adaptation Grants will be on www.commerceri.com in the coming days and Rhode Island Commerce staff will be holding information sessions and Zoom office hours to answer questions directly from businesses. 

HOT

RI Ranks 5th for Energy Efficiency

Rhode Island is ranked 5th for energy efficiency, according to a new study. 

To gauge the financial impact of doing more with less energy — the average American household spends at least $2,000 per year on utilities and another $2,094 on motor fuel and oil — WalletHub compared the auto- and home-energy efficiency in 48 U.S. states (Alaska and Hawaii were not included due to limited data)

Energy Efficiency in Rhode Island (1=Most Energy-Efficient; 24=Avg.):

9th– Home Energy Efficiency
20th– Vehicle-Fuel Efficiency
2nd– Transportation Efficiency

Overall, Utah is #1 and other notables are MA at #3 and South Carolina ranked last.

HOT

Carolyn Rafaelian

Alex and Ani founder Carolyn Rafaelian took to Instagram on Tuesday to announce she is no longer designing for the jewelry company — and is now launching a new endeavor.

Rafaelian is arguably the most successful woman in Rhode Island business history. In 2017, she was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine, but more recently lost control of Alex and Ani to an investment group.

Rafaelian posted the video message from Belcourt Castle in Newport — Rafaelian's property where actress Jennifer Lawrence held one of 2019’s biggest celebrity weddings. 

Read the article here. 

HOT

K-12 Holding Strong

Give Governor Gina Raimondo credit. Her administration has made a number of missteps in response to the coronavirus. 

But her push to reopen schools was the correct call.

Could have more been done to protect faculty and staff members who are over 50-years-of-age? The answer is yes.

But kids - for the most part - are back in school and learning in person. 

NOT

"Mandatory"

Governor Gina Raimondo's proposal Wednesday to implement "mandatory" testing for asymptomatic individuals seems ill-conceived, poorly planned, and incoherently articulated.

This is not the time to just let one fly without thought and preparation.

NOT

James Taylor

The Providence City Councilor ran for office promising to be more accessible than his predecessor. Empty promises.

Taylor rarely responds to press calls and seems to have forgotten his promises to be accountable.