Grants of Up To $10,000 Will be Available to Assist County Food and Beverage Service Businesses That Have Been Impacted by COVID-19 Health Crisis

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) will administer and award grants of up to $10,000 to cover a variety of expenses for eligible food and beverage service businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis. Applications can be submitted starting Friday, Nov. 20, and must be submitted to the Restaurant Relief Grant Program by Friday, Dec. 4.

The restaurant industry has been severely impacted by the pandemic, losing revenue and customers due to public health-related concerns, closures and restrictions. In response, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan allocated $50 million in direct relief for restaurants, sending approximately $8 million to Montgomery County to aid its restaurants.

Working with County Executive Marc Elrich, the County Council on Nov. 17 voted to approve the Restaurant Relief Grant Program. MCEDC will administer and award the grants to eligible restaurants and other entities such as food trucks, caterers, wineries and breweries that directly provide food service. The grants will be distributed before the end of the year.

Eligible program grant expenses include working capital, such as rent, payroll and job training; purchase of equipment and services to expand outdoor dining, such as tents, heaters, warmers and carts; infrastructure improvements, such as HVAC system upgrades; technology to support carryout and delivery; purchase of PPE and disposable food containers and utensils; and sanitation services.

To apply for a grant, read FAQs and download flyers about the program, visit https://thinkmoco.com/covid-19-resources/restaurant-relief-grant. Email questions to restaurantrelief@thinkmoco.com.

Local restaurants also have been able to access support from health crisis-inflicted expenses from other existing complementary Montgomery County programs. One of those programs is the Reopen Montgomery Grant Program, which covers certain expenses incurred to comply with State and County reopening requirements (as long as they are different expenditures from those in the Restaurant Relief Grant). More information on the Reopen Montgomery Grant Program is available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/biz-resources/reopen/.