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Rick Simone

The Ocean State Coalition
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News Bites: RI DEM License for Direct Seafood Sales / Ocean State Coalition Letter to Diners / Delta Dental “Share a Smile” Restaurant Gift Card Campaign

by David Dadekian May 27, 2020
written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.



New Temporary License Allows Commercial Fishermen To Sell Certain Types Of Seafood Directly To Consumers, Retailers

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

To help foster the continued viability of the Rhode Island commercial seafood industry during the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has enacted a new, no-cost Direct Sale Dealer License. It authorizes commercial fishermen in Rhode Island to sell certain species of finfish, and to sell and transport for sale live lobsters and crabs, directly to consumers and licensed seafood retailers from the vessel on which they were harvested.

“There is a growing demand for local seafood during this critical time, and we’re fortunate that our commercial harvesters are able to meet the needs of residents with the abundant seafood resources available off our coast,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Rhode Islanders can take pride in knowing that when they purchase fresh local seafood, at local retailers or right off the boat from harvesters, they are helping to keep a vital part of our economy – our commercial fishing and seafood industry – up and running.”

The new license, enacted via an emergency regulation filed on April 17, helps address the economic hardships facing the RI commercial fishing and seafood industry, as well as food insecurities facing many RI consumers, caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The new direct-sale opportunity supports the development of new, local supply chains for RI seafood. As an emergency regulation, the measure will remain in effect for up to 120 days.

DEM developed the emergency regulation in close collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). It preserves the existing rules for molluscan shellfish and certain species of finfish that require special handling, which must continue to be sold by harvesters to licensed seafood wholesalers.

Under the new Direct Sale Dealer License, finfish species subject to direct sale include any legally harvested species, except striped bass, and except all “histamine-producing” finfish species, which are listed in the regulation.  For eligible species of finfish, the new license authorizes their dockside sale directly to consumers and licensed retail establishments, such as seafood markets and restaurants. Examples of eligible finfish species include: summer flounder, black sea bass, scup, tautog, monkfish, hake, haddock, cod, winter flounder, weakfish, dogfish, skate, and butterfish.

While dockside sales of live lobsters and crabs to consumers have been allowed for many years, and remain authorized under the existing dockside sales endorsement, the new Direct Sale Dealer License extends this opportunity to include dockside sales to retail establishments, as well as the transport and sale of live lobsters and crabs to consumers and retailers.

The new license is available, at no cost, to resident commercial fishermen in RI licensed to harvest finfish and/or crustaceans.  Upon obtaining the new license, fishermen may engage in direct sales, subject to several requirements governing harvest, handling, reporting, and sale activities. The requirements include:

  • All direct sales must strictly adhere to all applicable health and safety directives governing customer-facing food businesses, including social distancing, preventing customers from congregating at or near the point of sale, and the wearing of face coverings. Drive-up dockside sales are strongly encouraged – and required in Galilee.
  • All direct-sale activities must be conducted in a manner consistent with applicable municipal laws, as well as applicable regulations and polices governing port and marina operations.
  • Direct sales of finfish are applicable only to whole fish, fish that are headed/gutted, or live fish. Direct sales are applicable only to fish that have been caught/harvested the same day. While on board the vessel, all fish must be kept shaded, cooled, and/or on ice.
  • Lobsters and crabs must be kept shaded and cooled and must be alive at point of sale.
  • For all species subject to sale pursuant to the new Dealer License, strict reporting requirements must be met.  Harvester reports must be completed in full and be available for inspection prior to any species being sold. In addition, all sales must be reported to DEM in accordance with standard electronic dealer reporting requirements.

DEM had developed detailed guidance governing authorization and use of the new license, including best practices to keep fishermen, their crew, and their customers healthy and safe during direct-sale activities. The guidance is available here: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/marine-fisheries/commercial-reporting.php

Applications for the new license may be submitted electronically, via this link: http://www.dem.ri.gov/directsales.

The emergency regulations are available here: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-90-00-15

DEM advises everyone to follow guidance about COVID-19 from Governor Raimondo and RIDOH. More information about COVID-19 and Rhode Island’s response can be found here: https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/


The Ocean State Coalition

To Our Guests,

On behalf of the hundreds of restaurants across the state of Rhode Island please let us begin by saying we deeply miss seeing you. Our daily lives have changed so much in the last two months since restaurants in our state were ordered closed for dining in. The restaurant business is not simply about the meal, wine or your favorite cocktail. It is more about romance, family, friendships, creating memories, and the ability to bring us all together as a community.

Restaurants support a tremendous amount of small, as well as large, businesses through our daily needs. Up to 90% of the money independent restaurants earn goes right back into our communities, through payroll, vendors, rent and many more services. We know how much our restaurants are loved in Rhode Island as we have the most restaurants per capita nationwide. We offer a diverse, vibrant and delicious culinary scene that has become world renowned.

The restaurant industry has been one of the most severely impacted by the closures related to Covid-19. We have done all that has been asked of us to help flatten the curve. Many of us are now doing all we can to get by while helping our team members and our community at the same time. Takeout, delivery, and outdoor seating with reduced capacities will not sustain us for long.

We are one of the most regulated industries for health standards and our goal has always been to exceed those standards for our guests. For this reason, we are asking you our guests to support us in our request for opening indoor dining by June 1, 2020. The very existence of what our restaurant community will look like depends on us being more creative than ever now. However, we must be allowed this opportunity to serve you to the best of our abilities within the new restrictions from the Department of Health.

All of us love what we do. The memories we have shared and created with all of you is the core of our being. We are ready to welcome you back in a safe, comfortable, enjoyable and delicious way.

Download the PDF of the letter and view the over 200 signed restaurants (this PDF will be updated as more restaurants sign on):

The Ocean State Coalition letter To Our Guests

Delta Dental of Rhode Island launches ‘Share a Smile’ campaign to spread positivity and support local restaurants

When we think about what makes us smile, a meal with family and friends at one of Rhode Island’s great local restaurants often tops the list. And while COVID-19 prevents us from doing that right now, Delta Dental of Rhode Island has launched a new way to support your favorite local restaurant and treat yourself and your family to something delicious.

The company’s new #Share a Smile campaign asks Rhode Islanders to share the names of restaurants that make them smile for a chance to win a $50 gift card to the Rhode Island restaurant of their choice. Here’s how to enter:

  • Go to the Delta Dental of Rhode Island Facebook page and look for the #Share a Smile post of the week. 
  • Comment on the post and tag your favorite Rhode Island restaurant

All commenters who tag a Rhode Island restaurant are entered into a random drawing for a $50 gift card to the restaurant they’ve tagged. Delta Dental will randomly select multiple winners each week during this campaign. In total, Delta Dental of Rhode Island’s efforts in 2020 will provide Rhode Island restaurants with more than $20,000 of support. 

“We’re so proud of the positivity we see throughout Rhode Island, and we developed this campaign to honor and encourage that positivity while supporting our local restaurants, who are critical to the state’s economy,” said Joseph R. Perroni, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Rhode Island. “For a company dedicated to supporting healthy smiles, encouraging people to share theirs and to share their love for local restaurants was a natural fit.”

“The Rhode Island business community benefits when we pull together to support each other, and we are excited to see all the creative ways that businesses are supporting each other to mitigate financial impacts of this crisis.,” Perroni said.

Learn more about the #Share a Smile campaign by visiting https://smile.deltadentalri.com. For a roundup of weekly winners, follow Delta Dental of Rhode Island on Facebook at @Delta Dental of RI.

May 27, 2020 0 comment
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Resource Links for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis

by David Dadekian November 28, 2020
written by David Dadekian

We’re All In This Together


¿Necesitas COVID-19 recursos en español? Por favor, póngase en contacto con Dorcas International.

There are a number of resources–on the national level, state level and municipal level–that have been enacted to help small businesses during this time of great need. I receive dozens of messages and emails each day asking what’s out there or do I have more information. Below are links to all the application forms and fact sheets that I’m currently aware of, plus some other resources on unemployment insurance and health.

I am taking all information from official web sites and cannot be responsible for any rule or regulation changes–consult with your accountant, lawyer, loan officer, etc. I can recommend those professionals if you need someone.

Jump down to:

  • Contact Your Government Representation
  • CARES Act General Overviews
  • SBA Coronavirus Pandemic Disaster Loans
  • Rhode Island Grants and Funding
  • City and Town Grants and Funding
  • Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance
  • Worker Relief Funds
  • Other Rhode Island Resources
  • Other National Resources
  • Mental Health Resources

Contact Your Government Representation

The only way these types of aid get passed is by contacting our representatives at all levels of government and making the need to save small businesses, such as our restaurants, a high priority. Here are contact info and search sites for you to find who you should be talking with.

Senator Jack Reed – 401-528-5200 or 202-224-4642

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse – 401-453-5294 or 202-224-2921

Find Your Representative
– Congressman Jim Langevin – 401-732-9400 or 202-225-2735
– Congressman David Cicilline – 401-729-5600 or 202-225-4911

Governor Gina Raimondo – 401-222-2080 / governor@governor.ri.gov

Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello – 401-222-2466 / rep-mattiello@rilegislature.gov
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio – 401-222-6655 / sen-ruggerio@rilegislature.gov

Find your Senator and Representative in the RI General Assembly


CARES Act General Overviews

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

CARES Act: Unemployment Insurance FAQ

Independent Restaurant Coalition COVID-19 Legislative Responses: Impact For Small Business


SBA Coronavirus Pandemic Disaster Loans

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources – overview page with funding options, guidance for businesses and other SBA information

Questions? Contact Mark Hayward, Rhode Island District Director and Regional Administrator for Region I at rhodeisland_do@sba.gov or mark.hayward@sba.gov

SBA Coronavirus Relief Options:

Economic Injury Disaster Loan including EIDL Forgiveness Advance

  • Forgiveness Advance of up to $10,000 in 3 business days
  • 3.75% interest rate for businesses, 2.75% interest rate for non-profits of up to $2,000,000 for up to 30 years
  • Unsecured up to $25,000. No personal guarantee for amounts up to $200,000
  • Up to 1 year payment deferral, interest will accrue
  • Apply here

Paycheck Protection Program

  • U.S. Treasury Information Sheet
  • American Enterprise Institute summary
  • Applied via an SBA-certified bank or credit union – find a lender—this is important as I’ve heard from owners around the country who’ve said their bank was not entering this program and they had to find a new bank
  • Apply directly for the PPP through the Community Reinvestment Fund and Goldman Sachs
  • I’ve also heard it’s recommended you download and review, if not fill out the sample lender form, though your bank may use a modified version
  • 1% interest rate, borrow up to 250% of average monthly payroll from the past year capped at $100,000 per employee, up to a maximum of $10,000,000, for up to 2 years
  • Up to 6 months deferral, interest will accrue
  • Forgiveness: up to 100% as long as loan proceeds amount spent by the borrower during the 8-week period after the origination date of the loan is used for: payroll costs, interest payment on any mortgage incurred prior to February 15, 2020, payment of rent on any lease in force prior to February 15, 2020, and payment on any utility for which service began before February 15, 2020. Employee and compensation levels must be maintained and payroll cost capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee
  • Any advance amount received under the EIDL Forgiveness Advance will be subtracted from the amount forgiven
  • Analytix Solutions in Woburn, MA has offered, for free, to figure out your maximum PPP forgiveness amount. Fill out their form.

SBA Express Bridge Loans

  • For any business that has an existing banking relationship with an SBA-certified lender
  • Up to $25,000 with an interest rate not to exceed prime + 6.5%, fixed or variable, for a maximum of 7 years

SBA Debt Relief

  • The SBA will pay the principal, interest, and fees of the above loans for six months
  • Debt relief is automatic, but you should check with your lender

Rhode Island Grants and Funding

Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund

Citizens Bank – LISC Small Business Recovery Grant

Rhode Island Commerce Short-term bridge loans for restaurants and microbusinesses

Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island COVID-19 Response Fund Grants


City and Town Grants and Funding

Providence Business Loan Fund

East Providence COVID-19 Job Retention Loan Program

East Providence Small Business Assistance

Pawtucket Business Development Corporation COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program


Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Compensation in the CARES Act FAQ

Understanding Rhode Island and Federal Paid Leave and Unemployment Insurance

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training

COVID-19 emergency unemployment insurance benefits for gig economy worker, contract worker, small business owner, worker for hire or self-employed


Worker Relief Funds

Another Round, Another Rally

American Farmland Trust Farmer Relief Fund

National Restaurant Association National Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

One Fair Wage Emergency Fund

Restaurant Strong Fund

Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Program

United States Bartenders’ Guild Emergency Assistance Program


Other Rhode Island Resources

Rhode Island Department of Health COVID-19 page

Rhode Island Superior Court Business Recovery Plan

RI DHS is exploring an expansion of a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) via a waiver. See details and complete the RI Food Policy Council form.

RI Food Policy Council Interactive Food Access Maps

Restaurants with Online Ordering and Take Out

Shop Local Food & Drink Businesses Online

Breweries Offering Curbside Can Sales


Other National Resources

Independent Restaurant Coalition

Restaurants Act – Tell Congress: Support Bipartisan Efforts to Improve Relief Efforts and To Provide Additional Funding

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United COVID-19 Resources

Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation Resources for Restaurants and Workers Coping with the COVID-19 Emergency

James Beard Foundation Resources Restaurants and COVID-19

No Kid Hungry Find Free Meals for Kids

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19) page


Mental Health Resources

RI Foundation COVID-19 Behavioral Health Fund Grants

Crisis Text Line – message with a live, trained crisis counselor

Chefs With Issues Facebook Group

Ben’s Friends – food and beverage industry support group offering hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction

Streaming Service Promotions (if it helps, it helps!)


With thanks to my friend Rick Simone of the Federal Hill Commerce Association and Providence Tourism Council

November 28, 2020 0 comment
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