Helping Pandemic-Ravaged Restaurants
We have made great progress in recovering from the economic damage of the COVID-19 pandemic with our January unemployment rate reaching 3.3%, but we must continue to support our local restaurants which are a vital part of our economy. Restaurants stepped up and did everything in their power stay open for business through the pandemic and it is our duty to support them in return, however possible.
I’m happy that just in time for Hudson Valley Restaurant Week my administration and the County Legislature announced the first four recipients of our Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program, which is reimbursing businesses between $5,000 and $25,000 for past or future expenses for eligible outdoor dining COVID-19 mitigation equipment.
Restaurants have faced many difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic such as periods of closure, reduced capacity, or declining revenues when customers were unable or unwilling to dine-in. These challenges had significant negative impacts on restaurant employment and the economy, but these businesses stayed strong and continued supporting Rockland residents.
I’m proud to reimburse restaurants for unexpected costs forced upon them by the pandemic and this program will help ensure their economic recovery stays on track.
Cornetta’s Restaurant and Marina in Piermont, Diddy’s Soul Food and Lounge in Suffern, Lynch’s Restaurant in Stony Point, and AquaTerra Grille in Pearl River are the first restaurants to reach the contract phase of the grant program with awards ranging from $17,000 to the maximum $25,000.
In total, Rockland County received $63 million in Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which is geared towards helping residents and businesses fully recover from the pandemic, and the Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program is utilizing $500,000 of those funds to support restaurants. I applaud our federal elected officials for securing this funding for Rockland County to help our families recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
One thing is clear, supporting our neighborhood restaurants at the heart of our communities is essential and I’m thrilled that the first four restaurants in Rockland will receive the support necessary to continue serving our communities with another five restaurants in contract for the grant.
This program is still accepting applications and businesses are encouraged to apply. Eligible entities include restaurants, food stands, food trucks, bars, saloons, lounges, taverns, bakeries, delis, cafes, breweries, wineries, and other similar places of business.
Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:
· Tents
· Heat Lamps or other electric heating equipment
· Additional tables and chairs for outdoor dining
· Market Umbrellas
· Plexiglass Shields
· Tarps
· Patio Fencing
For more information and to download an application visit:
https://rocklandgov.com/departments/county-executive/reviving-and-rebuilding-rockland/grants/
