With funding through the federal CARES Act, Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development has begun accepting applications for its new SWED Restaurant Relief Supplemental Grant Fund. This fund targets eligible restaurants in Wicomico County that have been significantly and negatively impacted by restrictions on indoor dining, reduced hours of operation and other limitations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.   

“We recognize the challenges all businesses have faced this year as we’ve deployed in excess of $9 million to our small business community since the pandemic began,” said SWED Executive Director David Ryan.

“We also recognize the restaurant industry has been especially hard hit due to the loss of key months of operation, restricted capacity, reduced indoor operating hours and added costs to comply with new operating environments. These funds will help retain jobs, further assist restaurants in adapting to new business models, mitigate the adverse effect the pandemic continues to have on our restaurant industry and help restaurants better prepare and survive in the coming winter months.”      

Targeted grant amounts range from $7,500 for restaurants without a Class B Restaurant Beer, Wine & Liquor license to $60,000 for restaurants with a Class B Restaurant Beer, Wine & Liquor license with more than 30 full-time employees.

The program targets restaurants that have experienced a significant loss of revenue due in large part to restricted indoor dining capacity and reduced indoor operating hours.   

The application period ends Friday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. Grant awards are expected to commence on Monday.

More information and an online application can be found at swed.org.