2023 -- H 6210
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE
Introduced By: Representatives Slater, and Diaz
Date Introduced: March 24, 2023
Referred To: House Finance
WHEREAS, WaterFire Providence, an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization, 1
has transformed the capital city into an acclaimed international destination over the past 29 years, 2
creating one of the leading attractions of the important tourism sector, inspiring millions of 3
residents and visitors, revitalizing our capital city, building community engagement, and 4
rebuilding our civic pride by presenting WaterFire for all to enjoy its 85 bonfires on the three 5
rivers in downtown Providence; and 6
WHEREAS, The event, complete with music, performers, artists, vendors, and special 7
events, has revived the nightlife of downtown Providence as an engaging, admission-free event 8
that appeals to the entire community, drawing nearly one million visitors each year from all 9
around the world, attracting conventions, and filling our hotels and restaurants, to gather in an 10
urban park that would otherwise be dark, empty and potentially dangerous; and 11
WHEREAS, An independent economic evaluation report by the US Army Corps of 12
Engineers, as part of a dredging feasibility study, determined that the WaterFire event annually 13
produces an economic output of $151,305,940 (in 2023, adjusted for inflation); in addition, 14
WaterFire generates over $11,945,205 in direct tax revenue for the State of Rhode Island, based 15
on a report from Acadia and the University of Rhode Island (in 2023, adjusted for inflation) and 16
supports nearly 1,300 jobs for community residents; and 17
WHEREAS, Additionally, each year the WaterFire event secures earned traditional and 18
new media valued at millions of dollars which strengthens the Creative Capital and State of the 19
Arts brands and promotes them as a top international cultural tourism destination especially 20
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during the summer months when hotel occupancy rates are often at their lowest in Providence and 1
Warwick and hotels charge higher rates and regularly sell out on WaterFire nights, causing room 2
inventory to be the biggest driver in determining the event’s economic impact and, from 2014 3
(2,347) to 2022 (3,031), hotel room inventory increased 29 percent; and 4
WHEREAS, In 2012, WaterFire Providence purchased 475 Valley Street, a long 5
abandoned and rapidly deteriorating historic-registered, industrial property, which it garnered 6
millions of dollars in out of state monies and rehabilitated and opened in May 2017 as a 37,000 7
square foot, multi-use arts venue and neighborhood anchor institution known as the WaterFire 8
Arts Center; and 9
WHEREAS, WaterFire Providence is leveraging its strengths, resources, knowledge, 10
experience and networks to invest in programs that help young members of the BIPOC 11
community develop the skills and experience that they need to be self-sufficient, contributing 12
members of the community through the development of the ArtLab@WaterFire and, also, 13
supporting artists under thirty years of age develop the skills and experience that they need to 14
advance their careers and become leaders in Rhode Island’s creative economy through the 15
development of the WaterFire Accelerate program; now, therefore be it 16
RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not 17
otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2023-2024, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars 18
($500,000) to provide operational support for WaterFire Providence; and the state controller is 19
hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said 20
sum, or so much thereof as may be from time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated 21
vouchers. 22
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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 APPROPRIAT ION OF $500,000 TO WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE
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This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to WaterFire 1
Providence. 2
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