The Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation has awarded $1 million in capital grants to 45 health, education and community service organizations across the state, including several in Newport County, to help complete capital projects or purchase equipment.
Locally, the John Clarke Retirement Center, doing business as John Clarke Senior Living, received $23,940 to upgrade critical HVAC systems in its 60-bed nursing facility, and the Middletown Public Library received $25,000 to purchase essential safety and maintenance equipment. The Portsmouth School Department received $25,000 for lab sinks, a dishwasher and plumbing and electrical upgrades to support modern lab equipment.
Grants under the program are capped at $25,000 each. “Rhode Island’s nonprofit community relies on functional facilities and up-to-date equipment to succeed, and our Capital Grant Program is here to meet that need,” said Dylan Zelazo, executive director of RIHEBC. He said the funding supports projects ranging from classroom technology and medical equipment to building safety repairs and ADA improvements.
“We understand that even small capital projects can have a big impact on an organization’s ability to succeed, and that is why we are committed to this grant program,” said RIHEBC Board Chair Channavy Chhay. “By awarding these 45 Capital Grant Program awards of $25,000 or less, we are helping local education, health, and service providers to better serve their clients and enhance the overall well-being of our state.”
The awards reached organizations from Woonsocket to Wood River, funding everything from transit vans and backup generators to playgrounds, septic repairs and literacy programs.
Founded in 1966, RIHEBC provides financing for nonprofit health and educational institutions and for municipal school projects. The agency, the largest financing agency in the state, has issued more than $12.3 billion in tax-exempt bonds. More information is available at rihebc.com.
