First Reviving Rockland Restaurant Grant Distributed

Just in time for Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐉𝐫. are proud to announce 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.

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 Ed Day 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝, “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. These organizations support our residents, and it is our duty to support them in return, however possible. 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.

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐉𝐫. 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝, “Restaurants stepped up and did everything in their power stay open for business through the pandemic and we are committed to doing whatever we can to help them. This grant will remain open until the funding is exhausted. We encourage all restaurants to apply as soon as they can.”

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. The Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program is utilizing $500,000 of ARPA funds to support local businesses.

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/…/reviving-and…/grants/