Rhode Island Distressed Communities

R.I. General Law § 45-13-12 (Distressed communities relief fund) establishes a fund to provide state assistance to those Rhode Island cities and towns that have the highest property tax burdens relative to the wealth of taxpayers. The Office of Library and Information Services is using the designation of "Distressed Communities" to identify cities and towns for additional funding for American Rescue Act Technology Grants.

Cities and towns designated as distressed communities in FY2021 and FY2022 include:

Central Falls
Cranston
North Providence
Pawtucket
Providence
West Warwick
Woonsocket

Note: With the exception of Cranston and North Providence, all municipalities above have been designated as distressed communities annually. Johnston and East Providence have also been designated as distressed communities in past years. In any one year, only 7 communities are designated as "distressed" in accordance with the formula for distressed communities, which identifies communities falling in the lowest 20% of specified indices.

In consideration of historic designations, OLIS considers five communities as "perenially distressed":

Central Falls
Pawtucket
Providence
West Warwick
Woonsocket