Allegany County recently announced the Restaurant Relief Fund Grant, which will support local restaurants and other foodservice businesses under severe financial pressures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible businesses may use grant funds to cover operating expenses such as rent, payroll, and utilities, as well as costs associated with the purchase of personal protective equipment, ensuring sanitary physical spaces, and implementing online customer engagement and transactions.
As previously reported on Conduit Street, Governor Larry Hogan recently announced that the state will provide county governments with a total of $50 million to support direct aid to local restaurants and foodservice businesses. Counties must allocate all funds by December 31, 2020.
Allegany County was awarded $649,548 as part of the state initiative. The County will accept grant applications through December 14, 2020.
According to a County press release:
Grant Amounts:
$5,000 Grant for seasonal operations
$8,000 Grant for year-round operations
Criteria for Application:
The applicant must…
- own, rent, or lease a permanent or mobile commercial food and/or beverage service location in Allegany County (non-profit organizations, commissaries, food banks, groceries, farmers markets, vending machines, catering, home kitchens, etc. are not eligible)
- not be a franchise or national chain (unless able to provide proof of local ownership and operation)
- have a current Allegany County business license.
- be operational and earning revenue in Allegany County
- be in good standing with the State of Maryland and be current on all county tax liabilities, and have no open zoning or permitting code enforcement issues.
