BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Empire State Development Corporation announced a new grant program on Tuesday that will provide grants of up to $5,000 to help restaurants struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ESD will put more than $3 million into the “Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund, which is also supported by Diageo North America and Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits. Applications open Monday, January 11.
"This industry has been among the hardest hit by the devastating effects of COVID-19, working hard to stay open, serve customers and keep employees safe," said Empire State Development Acting Commissioner, and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler.
Restaurants will be able to use the grant money to implement safety measures that allow them to operate during COVID-19. Restaurants can also use the money towards qualifying purchases made since September 1, 2020.
"This fund is designed to help establishments adapt during this unprecedented time with assistance to sustain their businesses during the winter months to come," Gertler said.
Some of these safety measures include buying or upgrading personal protective gear, disinfectants, plexiglass, signage, contactless technology, heaters, air filtration systems, or expanding patios and take-out/delivery opportunities.
The National Development Council will handle the distribution of the grant money.
"Having worked on numerous loan and grant programs in New York and across the country, what we have seen is that smaller restaurants — especially minority and woman-owned establishments and those in hard-hit neighborhoods — are not getting the help they really need," said Dan Marsh, president of National Development Council.
Marsh added, "A tailored grant program specific to this industry is critical."
Eligible restaurants have to prove that they did not make more than $3 million in revenue in 2019. These restaurants must be ones that make food in the same facility where customers traditionally eat or drink on-premises at their business. Businesses that switched to a grab-and-go model due to COVID are also eligible.
Any restaurant seeking the grant also has to have been in business since March 1, 2019 and can prove their financial burden due to COVID.