Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island received just over USD 3.2 million (EUR 2.7 million) in relief, and the state plans to set aside USD 100,000 (EUR 85,2030) of that amount for administrative costs.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) plans to make allocations to various sectors based on the percentages used by NOAA. Commercial fishing will get 62.6 percent, or roughly USD 1.98 million (EUR 1.68 million); commercial aquaculture will get 5.4 percent, or roughly USD 171,000 (EUR 145,000); seafood processing and wholesalers will get 28.5 percent, or roughly USD 901,000 (EUR 768,000); and for-hire services will get 3.5 percent, or roughly USD 110,000 (EUR 93,000).
All applications must prove that the individual is a Rhode Island resident, is 18 years of age or older, owned a properly licensed business in the period spanning 1 March and 31 May in the previous five-year period, and has incurred greater than 35 percent losses in that period in 2020.
Commercial fishing applicants must be the owner of a commercial vessel holding a commercial vessel declaration, or must hold a valid Rhode Island commercial fishing license not associated with a fishing vessel or business (e.g. shore-based fishers.).
Commercial aquaculture applicants must hold an aquaculture lease and a valid aquaculture license for Rhode Island. Processing and wholesaling businesses must have a valid RIDEM Dealer License and a wholesaler’s license.
RIDEM provided participants with affidavits and application forms – either via downloading on the department’s website or obtained in person – with a 15-day application period for aid which ended on 28 September.
Applicants needed to provide proof of greater than 35 percent revenue losses and the amount of other benefits that the business has received via unemployment insurance, payroll protection program loans, and other forms of financial aid. Rhode Island then will take the amount of lost revenue and subtract the amount of other aid to determine the amount of aid that the applicant can claim.
Following the application, RIDEM will verify the information will available records and statistics including business records maintained by the Rhode Island Department of State.
After all applications are processed, and following a 15-day appeal period, RIDEM will total all claims in each sector. If the total claims in each sector is less than the amount of aid available, the entire claim will be paid. If it is greater than the amount in the sector, RIDEM will calculate the percentage of the shortfall, and multiply each claim by that percentage.
Using this process, Rhode Island estimates payments will be made to valid applicants by mid-November.
Photo by Chris Chase/SeafoodSource
