A new round of restaurant relief funding is now available to Montgomery County restaurants, food trucks, caterers, breweries and wineries. First-time applicants may be eligible for grants of up to $10,000, while previous MoCo Restaurant Relief grant recipients will be automatically eligible for a $5,000 grant. The funding source is a second $4.9 million aid package Maryland Governor Larry Hogan made available for restaurants severely impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis.
The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) will administer the second round of restaurant relief grants. New applications for Phase Two grants must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10.
MCEDC will award the Phase Two grants to eligible restaurants that had not previously applied for a County Restaurant Relief Grant. The grants can cover a variety of expenses, including rent and payroll. More information about the program can be found at the MCEDC website.
The original MoCo Restaurant Relief Grant was completed in December. MCEDC promoted and implemented the first round of grants that generated 836 applicants. Of those, 95 percent (793 restaurants, food trucks, caterers, wineries and breweries) received a grant award of $10,000. The complete list of Phase One recipients can be found here.
In addition to accepting new applications, MCEDC will provide the original 793 grant recipients with automatic $5,000 supplemental grants from the Phase Two funds—provided that they are still open and meet all prior eligibility requirements.
Given the closeness in time to the first round, and to ease burdens on restaurants, previous Phase One recipients will not need to apply for the $5,000 supplemental grant. Original recipients will receive an email from MCEDC clarifying the details and timing of their Phase Two $5,000 supplemental grant. All grants will be distributed by March 15.
Working with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and MCEDC, the County Council in January approved the $4.9 million appropriation.
Other supports for Montgomery County restaurants include:
- Visit Montgomery’s MoCo Eats Guide, a restaurant directory that promotes delivery and outdoor seating options.
- MCEDC’s 3R Initiative supporting local restaurants and retail with targeted aid, placemaking and the new MoCoMarketplace.com. The initiative offers special shopping information, deals and competitive incentives to encourage support for local businesses and safe shopping.
- Winter Restaurant Week presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and running through Sunday, Feb. 7. Participating restaurants are offering tasting menus and special drinks via delivery, pick-up or dine-in (where available).