Nearly $8 Million from Route 6/10 Connector Settlement Distributed to Rhode Island Nonprofits
Providence, R.I. – Approximately $7.9 million from a settlement related to contaminated soil at the Route 6/10 Connector project has been distributed to four nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Rhode Island Foundation.
The funds stem from an $11 million settlement reached with a Massachusetts company accused of illegal dumping during the construction project. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha directed a $10 million portion of the settlement to the Rhode Island Foundation for disbursement, a decision that drew criticism from some Republican lawmakers.
Political Dispute Over Settlement Funds
Three Republican members of the Rhode Island legislature – House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale, House Minority Whip David Place, and Rep. Brian Newberry – had questioned how the settlement money was being spent. They argued that state law requires such funds to be deposited into the state’s general fund, rather than being directed to a private foundation. They sent a letter to Rhode Island Foundation President David Cicilline on March 10th seeking details about the fund’s distribution.
Attorney General Neronha defended his decision, stating he had the discretion to determine how the money was used. He initially intended the funds to support children’s dental services in Providence, the area near the contaminated soil.
Grant Distribution Details
The Rhode Island Foundation opened applications for grant money from the fund last August. According to a statement provided to NBC 10 News by spokesman Chris Barnett, $7.9 million in grants were awarded to four nonprofits in January.
As a condition of receiving the funding, the grant recipients are required to submit biannual progress reports and annual financial reports. The Rhode Island Foundation anticipates developing a timetable for expending the remaining funds soon.
The Rhode Island Foundation provided the information to NBC 10 and to the Republican lawmakers who had requested an update on the status of the settlement money.