Centreville Bank Helps Launch RI Small Business Village at Providence Place
New marketplace creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs during Rhode Island's busy summer tourism season
West Warwick, R.I. (June 17, 2026) – Centreville Bank is proud to support the launch of the RI Small Business Village at Providence Place, a new retail marketplace designed to help Rhode Island entrepreneurs expand their visibility, connect with new customers, and grow their businesses during one of the state's most significant tourism seasons in recent history.
Presented by Centreville Bank and developed in partnership with Skills for Rhode Island's Future (SkillsRI), the RI Small Business Village officially opened today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state and local leaders, community partners, and participating small business owners.
Located on Level 1 of Providence Place, directly across from the Apple Store, the Village features more than 40 Rhode Island-based businesses offering handcrafted goods, specialty foods, apparel, jewelry, wellness products, and other locally made items. The marketplace will remain open through August 30, providing entrepreneurs with a high-visibility retail platform during a summer expected to bring increased visitor traffic to the region.
The launch comes as Rhode Island prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors this summer for FIFA World Cup-related activities and events taking place throughout the region. The Village was created to ensure local businesses can benefit from the increased tourism activity and economic opportunities associated with these events.
"The RI Small Business Village is about ensuring Rhode Island entrepreneurs have a seat at the table during one of the biggest economic opportunities our state has seen in years," said Nina Pande, Executive Director of SkillsRI. "We're grateful to our partners and community leaders for helping bring this vision to life and create new opportunities for local businesses to connect with visitors from around the world and grow their reach right here in Rhode Island."
“The RI Small Business Village demonstrates Centreville Bank’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs to increase their visibility and connect with new customers. As we look ahead to the economic momentum surrounding the World Cup, we see this as a unique moment to help local businesses expand their reach and benefit from increased activity and attention. Our goal is to ensure local businesses are positioned to capture this momentum and help drive lasting economic impact across the small business community in Rhode Island,” said Paola Fernandez, SVP, Community Development, Centreville Bank.
The Village features a diverse group of businesses representing industries including fashion, food and beverage, wellness, artisan goods, home décor, and specialty retail. Additional businesses may be added throughout the summer.
The RI Small Business Village was developed through a partnership among Skills for Rhode Island's Future, Centreville Bank, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Washington Trust, BankNewport, Bristol County Savings Bank, RI Commerce, the City of Providence, and Providence Place.
"Small businesses are the heart of Providence and of Rhode Island," said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. "The Rhode Island Small Business Village is a creative way to showcase the entrepreneurs, artisans and local businesses that make our state so special. I am grateful to Skills for Rhode Island’s Future and Centreville Bank for creating this opportunity for small businesses to connect with visitors during a summer of celebration and for contributing to the vibrancy of our city."
Centreville Bank's support reflects its ongoing commitment to economic development, small business growth, and community investment across Rhode Island. By helping bring the RI Small Business Village to life, the bank is contributing to a collaborative effort that connects local entrepreneurs with new markets while strengthening the state's small business ecosystem.
About Centreville Bank
Founded in 1828 and headquartered in West Warwick, Rhode Island, Centreville Bank is a full-service mutual bank with over $3 billion in assets and 24 locations throughout Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut. Centreville understands the unique financial needs of individuals, families and businesses and offers a wide range of personal banking and commercial banking products and services including checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts, mortgages, business loans and more. Centreville is committed to its employees and the communities it serves, always striving to help people make progress and achieve their financial goals. That is progress on purpose. Visit centrevillebank.com, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, or come into a branch or office to learn more.
Located on Level 1 of Providence Place, directly across from the Apple Store, the Village features more than 40 Rhode Island-based businesses offering handcrafted goods, specialty foods, apparel, jewelry, wellness products, and other locally made items. The marketplace will remain open through August 30, providing entrepreneurs with a high-visibility retail platform during a summer expected to bring increased visitor traffic to the region.
The launch comes as Rhode Island prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors this summer for FIFA World Cup-related activities and events taking place throughout the region. The Village was created to ensure local businesses can benefit from the increased tourism activity and economic opportunities associated with these events.
"The RI Small Business Village is about ensuring Rhode Island entrepreneurs have a seat at the table during one of the biggest economic opportunities our state has seen in years," said Nina Pande, Executive Director of SkillsRI. "We're grateful to our partners and community leaders for helping bring this vision to life and create new opportunities for local businesses to connect with visitors from around the world and grow their reach right here in Rhode Island."
“The RI Small Business Village demonstrates Centreville Bank’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs to increase their visibility and connect with new customers. As we look ahead to the economic momentum surrounding the World Cup, we see this as a unique moment to help local businesses expand their reach and benefit from increased activity and attention. Our goal is to ensure local businesses are positioned to capture this momentum and help drive lasting economic impact across the small business community in Rhode Island,” said Paola Fernandez, SVP, Community Development, Centreville Bank.
The Village features a diverse group of businesses representing industries including fashion, food and beverage, wellness, artisan goods, home décor, and specialty retail. Additional businesses may be added throughout the summer.
The RI Small Business Village was developed through a partnership among Skills for Rhode Island's Future, Centreville Bank, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Washington Trust, BankNewport, Bristol County Savings Bank, RI Commerce, the City of Providence, and Providence Place.
"Small businesses are the heart of Providence and of Rhode Island," said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. "The Rhode Island Small Business Village is a creative way to showcase the entrepreneurs, artisans and local businesses that make our state so special. I am grateful to Skills for Rhode Island’s Future and Centreville Bank for creating this opportunity for small businesses to connect with visitors during a summer of celebration and for contributing to the vibrancy of our city."
Centreville Bank's support reflects its ongoing commitment to economic development, small business growth, and community investment across Rhode Island. By helping bring the RI Small Business Village to life, the bank is contributing to a collaborative effort that connects local entrepreneurs with new markets while strengthening the state's small business ecosystem.
About Centreville Bank
Founded in 1828 and headquartered in West Warwick, Rhode Island, Centreville Bank is a full-service mutual bank with over $3 billion in assets and 24 locations throughout Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut. Centreville understands the unique financial needs of individuals, families and businesses and offers a wide range of personal banking and commercial banking products and services including checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts, mortgages, business loans and more. Centreville is committed to its employees and the communities it serves, always striving to help people make progress and achieve their financial goals. That is progress on purpose. Visit centrevillebank.com, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, or come into a branch or office to learn more.