NASSAU COUNTY, NY –In another effort to support small businesses as they continue to struggle with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, today, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced the County’s new Restaurant Recovery Grant Program (RRGP). With a $2.2 million investment of Community Development Block Grant (CDB) funding the County will provide approximately 300 restaurants with a grant between $5,000 – $10,000, depending on their number of full-time employees. The program is intended to support full-service restaurants – the industry hit hardest by the pandemic – during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited and as restaurants adjust to NY state’s COVID-19 safety restrictions and new mandates.
“As County Executive, I am doing everything I can to ensure a strong recovery for small businesses, especially in our cherished downtowns. And our restaurants are the anchor of those once bustling communities,” said County Executive Laura Curran. “A staggering 82,000 people on Long Island that work in the restaurant and hospitality industry lost their jobs due to the pandemic. And despite the creative efforts of our restaurant owners with igloos and heaters, outdoor dining is no longer going to sustain them, and that number could get higher. I hope that this new program can provide a boost for our restaurants as they face new challenges during the difficult winter months ahead – typically a slow time of yearwithout a global pandemic.”
Restaurants can begin applying on November 30, 2020 on www.nassaucountyny.gov/restaurantrecovery, where they can find all the details on eligibility criteria. The key requirements for the restaurants include: must be in Nassau County; must be operation on or before March 1, 2019; must have 50 or fewer full-time employees.
The funds can be used for working capital, operating expenses including payroll, rent, utilities, purchase of PPE and sanitation supplies; lease or purchase of equipment like kitchen equipment or delivery vehicles; or COVID-19 related business improvements like patio heaters or contactless technology.
Restaurants can expect to receive the grants beginning in January 2021. If the establishment is able to retain at least one low/moderate-income job at full-time status with the use of this grant, they will not have to pay it back.
“It may be no surprise that minorities make up a disproportionate share of hospitality workers on Long Island and they are not only the cooks and servers in our favorite neighborhood restaurants. A significant share of restaurant owners are minorities – showcasing the flavors of their cultures,” said Curran.“That is why we will be working with our outreach offices – our Office of Minority Affairs, Office of Hispanic Affairs and Office of Asian American affairs, to ensure we let all communities know this help is available.”
Nassau County Restaurant Recovery Grant Program On November 18, 2020, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced the County’s new Restaurant Recovery Grant Program (RRGP). The program is intended to support full-service restaurants – the industry hit hardest by the pandemic – during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited and as restaurants adjust to New York State’s COVID-19 safety restrictions and new mandates.
The link for the online application will be posted on November 30th . Check back for updates! Eligible Businesses • Full-Service Restaurants (NAICS code 722511), or establishments engaged in providing food services and meals prepared on-premises to patrons who traditionally order and are served whileseated (i.e., waiter/waitress service), including on-premises food and drinking establishments licensed through the State Liquor Authority (SLA) • Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) are encouraged to apply
General Eligibility • Located in Nassau County • In operation on or before March 1, 2019 • Fewer than 50 Full-Time equivalent (FTE) employees o Maximum $5,000 grant – 0 (sole proprietor)-10 employees o Maximum $10,000 grant – 11-50 employees • Must agree to create or retain at least one low/moderate-income job at full-time status • Must certify and demonstrate that they have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 Eligible Expenses • Grant funds to cover working capital and operating expenses including: o payroll, rent, utilities, purchase of PPE and sanitation supplies; lease or purchase of equipment like kitchen equipment or delivery vehicles; or COVID-19 related business improvements like patio heaters or contactless technology. Ineligible Businesses • Non-profit organizations • Businesses with greater than 50 employees • Businesses in violation of New York State Executive orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic or other State, County or local ordinances o E.g., EO 202.74 effective Friday, November 13 at 10 PM ▪ SLA FAQ: https://sla.ny.gov/Guidance-COVID-Related-Closing-Times
