Last week Governor Doug Ducey issued an Executive Order aimed to help struggling restaurants and bars navigate and survive the COVID-19 pandemic. “Restaurants and bars have been one of the hardest hit industries when it comes to mitigating the pandemic,” Supervisor Buster Johnson stated. The new measures Governor Ducey put into place last week included easing red tape on outdoor dining and increasing opportunities for safer dining experiences. “The order makes it easier for restaurants to expand outdoor dining spaces. I want to thank the Governor for listening to the needs of businesses during these unprecedented times while at the same time finding ways to ensure public safety during this pandemic,” Johnson continued.
To help businesses expand their outdoor dining opportunities, the State of Arizona is providing an initial investment of $1 million in funding to put together grants. These grants will be designed to assist bars and restaurants with funding for the infrastructure needed to expand their premises. The Safest Outside Restaurant Assistance Program is now available for those interested in applying for one of these grants. Businesses may apply for up to $10,000 to cover expenditures for items restaurants need to extend their premises to approved outdoor spaces such as outdoor furniture, barriers, patio heaters, or parklets.
To be eligible for the program businesses must:
- Be a licensed restaurant and bar serving food
- Have fewer than 50 employees
- Must comply with all COVID-19 related executive orders
- Must demonstrate a new extension of premises that has been approved by the local governing body and the Arizona Department of Liquor Licensing and Control (if applicable)
For more information on the grand program and to apply please click here https://www.azcommerce.com/covid-19/financial-resources/safest-outside-restaurant-assistance-program/
