RI Small Business HUB

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month from Skills for Rhode Island's Future

SkillsRI is proud to celebrate Rhode Island’s LGBTQIA+ community and stand with our employees, jobseekers, clients, partners, and allies.

Our work is rooted in the belief that every Rhode Islander deserves access to opportunity, respect, and support. This Pride Month and every month, we remain committed to helping build workplaces and communities where everyone can feel valued and included.

05/27/2026

Rhode Island small businesses: the full Vendor Application Guide is here. ⚽

If you’re considering the RI Small Business Shopping Village at Providence Place Mall, this carousel breaks down what you need to know — participation options, pricing, important dates, staffing expectations, vendor FAQs, and the types of businesses encouraged to apply.

Selected vendors can sell their products, reach new customers, and take part in a curated retail experience during one of Rhode Island’s biggest tourism moments.

Applications are open through June 2, 2026.

🔗 Apply here: https://bit.ly/ShoppingVillageApplication

Special thanks to presenting sponsor Centreville Bank , along with Rhode Island Commerce, BankNewport, The Washington Trust Company, Bristol County Savings Bank, Ocean State 2026, the City of Providence, and Providence Place Mall for supporting this opportunity.

05/22/2026

Rhode Island small businesses: it’s time to get in the game. ⚽

Applications are open through June 2, 2026 for the RI Small Business Shopping Village at Providence Place Mall.

From June through August, selected businesses can take part in 1, 2, or 3-month pop-up opportunities starting at $400/month.

Sell your products, grow your brand, and reach new customers during one of Rhode Island’s biggest summers ever.

Special thanks to presenting sponsor Centreville Bank, along with Rhode Island Commerce, BankNewport, The Washington Trust Company, Bristol County Savings Bank, Ocean State 2026, the City of Providence, and Providence Place Mall for supporting this opportunity.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/ShoppingVillageApplication

05/20/2026

⚽GOOOOOOOOOAL! Rhode Island, this is our moment⚽

📣Calling all RI small business owners, makers, artisans, food brands, creatives, and entrepreneurs!

The world will be coming through New England during the Summer of Soccer, and we want Rhode Island small businesses to be part of the experience, not just watching from the sidelines.

The RI Small Business Shopping Village at Providence Place Mall is being curated to help local entrepreneurs showcase their products, build visibility, connect with new customers, and grow during one of the biggest tourism moments our region has seen in decades.

From curated retail storefronts to artisan galleries and shared flexible spaces, this initiative is designed to help small businesses step into the spotlight.

✔ Flexible 1, 2, and 3-month sub-lease options
✔ Fractional shared-cost opportunities available
✔ Prime location connected to major summer activity in Providence

Space is limited and we are moving quickly.

RI small business, we are here to help. Let’s show visitors from around the world the creativity, culture, flavor, and entrepreneurial spirit that make Rhode Island special. ❤️

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Centreville Bank, along with support from RI Commerce, BankNewport, Washington Trust, and Bristol County Savings Bank, for helping make this opportunity possible.

The RI Small Business Shopping Village is an initiative of the RI Small Business Hub, a program of Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, in proud coordination with Ocean State 2026, the City of Providence, and Providence Place Mall.

🔗https://bit.ly/ShoppingVillageApplication

Please note: This is an independently organized initiative and is not a FIFA-sanctioned activity.

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/07/2026

Honoring the 2026 Rhode Island U.S. Small Business Administration Award Winners

Today’s SBA Awards Luncheon celebrated the small business owners, entrepreneurs, lenders, advocates, and community leaders helping shape Rhode Island’s small business community.

SkillsRI was proud to co-host this National Small Business Week celebration with the SBA Rhode Island District Office and recognize this year’s awardees:

• Small Business Person of the Year: Karl Wadensten, President, VIBCO Vi*****rs
• Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business: Marcia Blount, President/CFO, and Julie Blount, Executive Vice President, Blount Boats, Inc.
• Financial Services Champion: Jessica Mello, Assistant Vice President/Loan Officer, Community Investment Corporation
• Manufacturer of the Year: Lancelot Pinnock, Founder/Lead Design Engineer, and Dana Pinnock, CEO, Hideaway Solutions
• Home-Based Business of the Year: Jennifer McCabe, Owner, Cookie Chow
• Microenterprise of the Year: Julia Girman, Owner/Operator, JG Fitness & Performance
• Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Abby Antwi and Akos Antwi, Co-Founders, Revive Therapeutic Services
• Joseph G.E. Knight Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence: Amanda Mottola, Founder/CEO, Otraswag
• District Director Award: Maureen Ewing, Director, RI Department of State Business Services Division

We were grateful to be joined by speakers, public officials, and partners from across Rhode Island, including SBA Rhode Island District Director Robert Piechota, SBA New England Regional Administrator Peter Steele, SkillsRI Executive Director Nina Pande, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Congressman Seth Magaziner, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, General Treasurer James Diossa, Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, Representative Stephen Casey, and Deb Pannullo of SCORE Rhode Island.

Special thank you to our sponsors and supporters:

Legacy Builder: BankNewport

Enterprise Advocate: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Eastern Bank, Cox Communications, Webster Bank, Rhode Island Commerce

Community Supporter: BayCoast Bank, Bristol County Savings Bank, Bryant University, Center for Mediation & Collaboration Rhode Island, Community Investment Corporation, Citizens, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Greenwood Credit Union, half full, Insperity, Microsoft, Navigant Credit Union, People’s Credit Union, SEED Corporation, Washington Trust, Westerly Community Credit Union

Media Ally: Latina 100.3, Providence Business News

Congratulations to all of this year’s awardees, and thank you to every speaker, public official, sponsor, partner, and attendee who helped make today a meaningful celebration of Rhode Island’s small business community.