JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $800,000 TO WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $800,000 to WaterFire Providence.)

S3016

2026 -- S 3016
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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 $800,000 TO WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE

Introduced By:
Senators Bissaillon, Bell, Ciccone, DiPalma, and Lawson

Date Introduced:
March 05, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Finance
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WHEREAS, WaterFire Providence, an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts
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organization, has transformed the capital city into an acclaimed international destination over the
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past 30 years, creating one of the leading attractions of the important tourism sector, inspiring
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millions of residents and visitors, revitalizing our capital city, building community engagement,
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and rebuilding our civic pride by presenting WaterFire for all to enjoy its bonfires on the three
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rivers in downtown Providence; and
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WHEREAS, The event, complete with music, performers, artists, vendors, and special
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events, has revived the nightlife of downtown Providence as an engaging, admission-free event
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that appeals to the entire community, drawing nearly one million visitors each year from all
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around the world, attracting conventions, and filling our hotels and restaurants, to gather in an
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urban park that would otherwise be dark, empty and potentially dangerous; and
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WHEREAS, An independent economic evaluation report by the US Army Corps of
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Engineers, as part of a dredging feasibility study, determined that the WaterFire event annually
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produces an economic output of $151,305,940 (in 2023, adjusted for inflation); in addition,
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WaterFire generates over $11,945,205 in direct tax revenue for the State of Rhode Island, based
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on a report from Acadia and the University of Rhode Island (in 2023, adjusted for inflation) and
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supports nearly 1,300 jobs for community residents; and
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WHEREAS, Additionally, each year the WaterFire event secures earned traditional and
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new media valued at millions of dollars which strengthens the Creative Capital and State of the
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Arts brands and promotes them as a top international cultural tourism destination especially

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during the summer months when hotel occupancy rates are often at their lowest in Providence and
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Warwick and hotels charge higher rates and regularly sell out on WaterFire nights, causing room
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inventory to be the biggest driver in determining the event’s economic impact and, from 2014
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(2,347) to 2022 (3,031), hotel room inventory increased 29 percent; and
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WHEREAS, In 2012, WaterFire Providence purchased 475 Valley Street, a long
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abandoned and rapidly deteriorating historic-registered, industrial property, which it garnered
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millions of dollars in out of state monies and rehabilitated and opened in May 2017 as a 37,000
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square foot, multi-use arts venue and neighborhood anchor institution known as the WaterFire
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Arts Center; and
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WHEREAS, WaterFire Providence is leveraging its strengths, resources, knowledge,
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experience and networks to invest in programs that help young members of the BIPOC
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community develop the skills and experience that they need to be self-sufficient, contributing
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members of the community through the development of the ArtLab@WaterFire and, also,
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supporting artists under thirty years of age develop the skills and experience that they need to
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advance their careers and become leaders in Rhode Island’s creative economy through the
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development of the WaterFire Accelerate program; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not
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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of eight hundred thousand dollars
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($800,000) to provide operational support for WaterFire Providence; and the state controller is
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hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said
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sum, or so much thereof as may be from 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 $800,000 TO WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE
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This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $800,000 to WaterFire
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Providence.
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