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6/10/2025
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Senate approves Leader Ciccone’s bill to create Resilient Rhody Infrastructure Fund
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STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved legislation from Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III that would authorize the creation of the Resilient Rhody Infrastructure Fund through the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.
“Severe weather has become more and more common in our state, and we have all seen or experienced the disruptions from flooding when our ailing stormwater infrastructure becomes overwhelmed. Acting now to address the growing impacts of climate change will make a major difference for Rhode Island in the years to come, because the costs of inaction – in terms of dollars, and in the potential loss of life and property – are staggering. Supporting resiliency efforts at the local level will allow out cities and towns to address their most urgent needs, and it will provide an outstanding return on investment. I appreciate General Treasurer Diossa, the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, and the many other partners who have worked to advance this important legislation,” said Leader Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston).
The legislation (2025-S 1070), which Leader Ciccone introduced on behalf of General Treasurer James A. Diossa, would create a revolving source of loan finance for municipal resilience and stormwater abatement projects, similar to the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs. The legislation is enabling only, and seed funding for Resilient Rhody would come from existing Infrastructure Bank resources.
The Resilient Rhody initiative seeks to build on the success of the Infrastructure Bank’s Municipal Resilience Program, which is designed to help municipalities identify at-risk infrastructure and plan for resilient solutions. All 39 Rhode Island municipalities have participated in the program, and the Infrastructure Bank has awarded $24 million in Municipal Resilience Program Action Grants to 31 municipalities.
Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth) has introduced the Resilient Rhody legislation (2025-H 6252) in the House of Representatives.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Kittredge, Deputy Directory of Communications
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5516
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