PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Some Rhode Island small businesses impacted by the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge will start to receive additional financial help from the state as soon as Friday, nearly a year after the bridge's abrupt closure. Rhode Island Commerce began to process the first round of awards from the Washington Bridge Small Business Grant Program on Wednesday afternoon, according to spokesperson Matthew Touchette. The $2.6 million in grants was funded using federal State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF) money from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. It includes $1.2 million for East Providence businesses, $800,000 for Providence businesses, and $600,000 for businesses in other municipalities. The state received 338 applications, according to Touchette. So far, he said, 20 businesses are set to share $46,500 in grant awards by sometime on Friday. Grants are in the amount of $500, $1,000, and $2,500. Eligible businesses must have experienced at least a $500 revenue loss, representing a minimum of 10% of revenues between December 2023 and February 2024. Grants for businesses in Providence and East Providence are being administered and distributed separately by each respective city. The two municipalities are working directly with the nonprofit organization Skills for Rhode Island’s Future to process their grant applications. Providence received 698 applications and East Providence received 253 applications. Touchette said grant applications continue to be processed and that once an application has been approved, it takes up to 30 days to go through billing. Grant applications first opened on Sep. 10 and closed throughout October. Alexandra Leslie ([email protected]) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW