USDA – SPRS grant program for RI seafood dealers and processors: Application now available
In accordance with the USDA Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is administering a funds to RI seafood processors and dealers to compensate for expenses to prepare for, prevent exposure to, and/or respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, above and beyond normal business costs, incurred between January 27, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Eligible categories include:
- Workplace safety measures — including, but not limited to, personal protective equipment; sanitizer; hand washing stations; air filters; thermometers; cleaning supplies; or similar items
- Market pivots — including, but not limited to, transition to virtual/online sales costs, such as online platform development and fees, online marketing, and credit card processing fees; supplies; new signage; or similar items
- Retrofitting facilities — including, but not limited to, retrofitting facilities for worker and consumer safety, such as retrofitting harvester vessels for onboard vessel processing to maximize open-air activities, plexiglass, walk up windows, heat lamps, fans, tents, propane, weights, tables, chairs; or other similar items.
Please note that per the USDA program, licensed RI aquaculturists, including those holding a seafood dealer license issued by RIDEM and/or a seafood wholesaler license issued by the RI Department of Health, are NOT eligible applicants under this program.
The application period will open Monday May 2nd and close Monday May 16th. Applications (combined with Affidavits) are available on the USDA SPRS Marine Fisheries webpage http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/marine-fisheries/Fisheries-CARES-Act.php#USDA. A PDF version of the application is also provided as an attachment to this notice. Hard copies of the application are also available at the following locations:
- DEM’s Division of Coastal Resources, 301 Great Island Road, Narragansett, RI
- DEM’s Division of Marine Fisheries, 3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, RI
- DEM’s Office of Technical & Customer Assistance, 235 Promenade St., Providence, RI
Fully completed and notarized applications must be submitted in hard copy, i.e., hand delivered, during the application period, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm to any of the three offices set forth above. Neither mailed submissions nor electronic submissions of application forms will be accepted. Please read and follow the directions on the application closely. No applications will be accepted or considered if submitted after the application deadline.
For more information on the USDA SPRS grant program, including the Regulations governing the program, please see: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/marine-fisheries/Fisheries-CARES-Act.php#USDA
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RI_SPRS_Affidavit.pdf