JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $200,000 to the Rhode Island Black Business Association.)

S2558

2026 -- S 2558
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LC005240
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Introduced By:
Senators Bissaillon, Mack, Acosta, and DiPalma

Date Introduced:
February 13, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Finance
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) was formed in 2011
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for the purposes of advancing business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority
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businesses in Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, RIBBA assists those businesses through business development,
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entrepreneurship training, business advocacy, contracting, workforce development, and access to
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capital; and
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WHEREAS, RIBBA’s membership includes those individuals and businesses of all sizes
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regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, abilities, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation,
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and gender identity and the services and programs offered by RIBBA are open to all Rhode
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Islanders; and
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WHEREAS, The organization is one hundred percent (100%) funded through
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government grants, corporate grants and public support; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not
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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars
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($200,000) to the Rhode Island Black Business Association to assist its efforts and services to
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entrepreneurs, business owners, and employers in Rhode Island; and the state controller is hereby
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authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum,
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or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated

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vouchers.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
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This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $200,000 to the Rhode
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Island Black Business Association.
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