Site Readiness Program
Funds Rhode Island cities, towns, and developers for planning, site readiness, and predevelopment infrastructure activity.
Eligibility · United States · US-RI
⚠This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.
The Site Readiness Program, administered by Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, provides flexible grant funding to Rhode Island cities, towns, developers, and municipalities to advance site-specific development projects. The program supports two funding categories: Site-Specific Improvements, covering pre-development planning, infrastructure improvements, land assembly, demolition, and building enhancements; and Municipal Assistance, which funds zoning ordinance writing, comprehensive plan updates, strategic planning support, and development marketing. The program is designed to unlock development potential on sites that face cost or complexity barriers.
Eligible applicants include Rhode Island cities, towns, developers, and municipalities; nonprofits are also eligible under the program's general structure. Award amounts are described as flexible with no stated maximum or minimum. Projects expected to be completed within 18 months receive preference in the review process. The 2026 cycle closed on May 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM. A joint application pathway allows applicants to simultaneously request funding under both the Site Readiness Program and the Main Street RI Streetscape Improvement Fund using a single form.
Applicants should contact RI Commerce well in advance of future cycle deadlines to discuss project eligibility, as the flexible funding structure means award scope is negotiated based on demonstrated project need. Proposals that clearly document the site-specific barrier being addressed — whether a zoning gap, infrastructure deficit, or pre-development cost — are best positioned for approval. Future cycle announcements are distributed through RI Commerce's mailing lists. Contacts: Richard.DelFino@commerceri.com and sitereadiness@commerceri.com.
Site-Specific Improvements (planning, pre-development, infrastructure, land assembly, demolition, building enhancements) and Municipal Assistance (zoning, comprehensive plans, strategic planning, development marketing).
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