McKee is calling for $1.3 million in state aid for businesses affected by the Washington Bridge closure. • Rhode Island Current

Gov. Dan McKee is asking the General Assembly to release $1.3 million in unused pandemic relief funds to help small businesses affected by the ongoing closure of the westbound Washington Bridge.

McKee’s office announced Monday afternoon that the governor had submitted an amendment to his proposed fiscal year 2025 budget to create a direct grant program, along with “other business support.”

The western side of the bridge, where 96,000 vehicles cross Interstate 195 every day, was suddenly closed last December after engineers discovered that anchor rods intended to keep the bridge from swaying were broken. State leaders plan to demolish and replace virtually the entire structure — a process that is expected to take some time into 2026 and could cost between $250 million and $300 million.

Under McKee’s budget amendment, $600,000 in state fiscal relief funds would be allocated directly to the city of East Providence and $400,000 to Providence.

“I know what it’s like to run a small business and face challenges,” McKee said in a statement. “We must all stand behind the businesses affected by the Washington Bridge to ensure their continued success for years to come.”

McKee’s budget amendment also sets aside $300,000 for a Rhode Island Commerce Corp. contingency fund. for businesses outside the two cities the Washington Bridge connects.

“While businesses in East Providence and Providence are most directly affected by the Washington Bridge reconstruction, the impacts are being felt statewide,” Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner said in a statement.

The governor’s budget amendment comes as local business owners have expressed their frustration on difficulties in securing low-interest federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

McKee announced one earlier this month $2.5 million state aid package for small businesses, including just $300,000 for direct grants. The remaining $2.2 million was intended to be spent on a combination of technical assistance and beautification for businesses – along with a state marketing campaign and grants to municipalities for signage and sidewalk improvement projects.

Rhode Island Commerce Corp. spokesman Matt Touchette said McKee’s amendment does not eliminate technical assistance and placemaking funds.

“The Governor is proposing the allocation of funds to the cities of East Providence and Providence so that they can assist businesses in their communities in the manner they deem most appropriate, such as through direct grants, technical assistance, funding for community events to drive customer traffic, etc.,” Touchette said in an email Monday evening.

Proposals for the Commerce Corp. Placemaking Initiative were due April 19, Touchette said. According to McKee’s announcement, the marketing campaign is also still ongoing.