S 2558Funding & Budget

Making an Appropriation of $200,000 to the Rhode Island Black Business Association

This bill appropriates $200,000 to the Rhode Island Black Business Association to support entrepreneurship and business development programs.

Introduced

Population
Affected

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Introduced Feb 13, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution authorizes a state appropriation of $200,000 to the Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds will be drawn from the state treasury's unappropriated money to support the organization's ongoing efforts to assist entrepreneurs, business owners, and employers throughout Rhode Island. The state controller is directed to issue payments to the organization upon the receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

RIBBA, established in 2011, focuses on advancing business opportunities and the economic vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses in the state. The organization provides a comprehensive variety of services, including entrepreneurship training, business development, workforce development, advocacy, and assistance with contracting and access to capital. These programs are designed to help small businesses overcome traditional barriers to entry and growth in the competitive market.

The legislative text highlights that while RIBBA's primary mission focuses on minority business vitality, its membership and services are open to all Rhode Islanders regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, abilities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The organization relies entirely on government grants, corporate grants, and public support to fund its operations, making this state appropriation a key component of its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

For younger readers

This bill gives $200,000 of state money to the Rhode Island Black Business Association. The money will help them teach people how to start and run their own businesses. It also helps local business owners get the training and money they need to succeed.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA)Minority-owned businessesRhode Island entrepreneurs and small business owners

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. The legislature has the standard authority to appropriate state funds to non-profit organizations for public purposes.

Estimated cost

$200,000

Estimated revenue

Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Supports minority-owned businesses and helps address historical economic inequities.
Promotes workforce development and entrepreneurship in underserved communities.
Provides necessary funding for a non-profit that relies entirely on grants and public support to offer free or low-cost services.
The funding amount ($200,000) might be seen as too small to make a massive systemic impact on the racial wealth gap.
Some progressives might prefer broader structural economic reforms rather than one-time grants to specific non-profit organizations.

For Conservatives

Encourages entrepreneurship, business development, and private sector economic growth.
Helps small businesses access capital and contracting opportunities, fostering financial self-reliance.
The organization's services are explicitly open to all Rhode Islanders regardless of background, avoiding exclusionary practices.
Increases state spending by $200,000.
Directs taxpayer money to a specific private non-profit organization rather than offering broad-based tax relief for all businesses.
Some may oppose government funding targeted primarily at specific racial or ethnic demographic groups.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) was formed in 2011 for the purposes of advancing business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses in Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, RIBBA assists those businesses through business development, entrepreneurship training, business advocacy, contracting, workforce development, and access to capital; and

WHEREAS, RIBBA’s membership includes those individuals and businesses of all sizes regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, abilities, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, and gender identity and the services and programs offered by RIBBA are open to all Rhode Islanders; and

WHEREAS, The organization is one hundred percent (100%) funded through government grants, corporate grants and public support; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to the Rhode Island Black Business Association to assist its efforts and services to entrepreneurs, business owners, and employers in Rhode Island; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,0 TO THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION *** This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $200,000 to the Rhode Island Black Business Association.