The Town of Warren received up to $100,000 as part of Rhode Island’s “Take it Outside” grant program, funded through Governor Dan McKee’s Rhode Island Rebounds initiative.

The award, part of $4.8 million in awards granted throughout the state, strives to expand opportunities for small businesses to conduct operations outdoors.

Warren Town Planner Bob Rulli said that the scope of the grant money could be wide.

“We have some money in there for Discover Warren, some money in there for Art Night Bristol and Warren, some money in there to do more public art outside,” he said, adding that it could also go towards marketing efforts for small businesses who may not have the capabilities to perform marketing on their own. “We’re trying to spread it out as much as we can.”

Rulli said that since the Town Council did not approve his recent request to conduct further study on parking conditions along Water Street — requesting instead that he do the study in-house — that some of the money could go towards that.

Rather than spend the money on acquiring things like heat lamps and accessories to help restaurants accommodate dining outside, which many have already done, Rulli said the money would be better served helping small businesses in other ways that promote their continued recovery.

“I think it’s about supporting some of those other smaller businesses that need help getting back on their feet,” he said.