After outdoor dining was expanded in Worcester amid COVID pandemic, city launches $50,000 grant program for restaurants to purchase supplies
Updated Apr 01, 2021;
More help is on the way for restaurants in Worcester.
Hours after the city’s License Commission approved an extension to outdoor dining through the end of 2021, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. announced a new Outdoor Dining Grant Program.
The $50,000 program, made possible through donations from the Worcester Business Development Corporation, Unity Bank and Fidelity Bank will run for two weeks from April 5 through April 16.
Applications for the grants will be available on the city’s website starting Monday.
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Bars, breweries, distilleries, restaurants and wineries in Long Beach are eligible to apply for the grants between Friday, Dec. 18, and 4 p.m., Dec. 28. The money will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
It wasn’t immediately clear how much total funding is available.
Business owners who own multiple eligible establishments may apply more than once. However, businesses will only be eligible for a second grant if funds remain after all applications have been reviewed, the city said.
The expenses to be covered must have been incurred between June 1 and Dec. 28.
After issuing a strict stay-at-home order that shuttered all businesses in March, the city began to allow restaurants to operate outdoors, and in some cases on sidewalks, in June.
“We are committed to continuing to support our small businesses that have been impacted most by the pandemic,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “The new Outdoor Dining Grant Program will provide financial assistance to help offset expenses incurred by businesses during this crisis.”
Businesses eligible to apply: must have obtained a Long Beach business license by March 1; must have received prior approval to operate outdoors with either an approved COVID-19 outdoor activities permit, parklet permit or sidewalk permit; must be operating a bar, brewery, distillery, restaurant or winery in adherence to the city health order and regional stay at home order; and