R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-16

Whenever it shall be necessary to obtain assistance from the federal or state governments in the form of loans, advances, grants, subsidies, and otherwise, directly or indirectly, for the execution of the project, the commission may make all necessary applications for those purposes. All the applications shall be made in writing in the name of the commission, and shall be duly signed by the chairperson or such other person or persons as the commission may designate.