​Oakland County Uses $10M In Funding To Help Businesses

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Up to 1,000 restaurants and bars in Oakland County soon will see stabilization grants coming their way as the county works to support businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The $10 million Oakland Together Restaurant Relief Program will use $7 million of Oakland County’s federal CARES Act allocation and $3 million from the county’s general fund to help restaurants hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic and a reduction in business, including a three-week pause on indoor dining.

“Our local restaurants and their workers are important parts of our community and we wanted to step forward once again during this recent surge of COVID-19 cases to help stabilize their operations,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “This is one of the last programs using our CARES Act funds which is why it is important for Congress to approve additional relief. This virus is not going away, and we need additional resources for recovery, COVID mitigation and vaccine preparation.”

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Michigan reported 7,146 new cases of the coronavirus Thursday, increasing the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 380,343. The state also reported 175 new COVID-19 deaths — 112 of which were recognized during a vital records search. The coronavirus death toll in Michigan as of Thursday morning is 9,580.

Businesses have been particularly impacted, as the recent surge in cases has prompted Michigan officials to issue a ban on indoor service at eateries across the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the restrictions Nov. 15, after the state saw a significant uptick in new cases and deaths stemming from the coronavirus. The order took effect Nov. 18. They end Tuesday.

Board of Commissioners Chairman David T. Woodward said he wants to see Oakland County restaurants emerge from the pandemic.

“Our local restaurants are crucial to the success of our county’s economy, and we know they are suffering during this pandemic," Woodward said. "With the $10 million Oakland Together Restaurant Relief program, we stand with our local restaurant owners and workers to do everything we can to help and support them to get through this challenging time and have huge success in the coming years."

The $10 million program is divided into three categories. A large portion of the funding — $7 million — will be divided among the approximately 1,000 businesses that earlier received stabilization, recovery or restart grants from county CARES Act funds, the county said. The businesses were already vetted during an earlier application and don’t have to reapply. The funds can be used to cover expenses for perishable food, rent, mortgage payments and labor costs. Under the terms of the CARES Act, the county must spend the funds by Dec. 30.

Along with the $7 million, the county said $3 million will be split from the county's general fund, with $2 million going toward adapting the outside of Oakland County eateries for outside service. The county said it is acquiring 8-foot by 12-foot greenhouse-type structures, electric heaters, propane heaters, propane and other items to expand outside dining options.

The county said the final $1 million will help businesses reopen safely by acquiring personal protective equipment, hand sanitation station and computer software to help contact tracing procedures.

Oakland County has allocated all $219 million it received in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding, including more than $140 million in grants to help stabilize and support small businesses, residents and communities in every part of the county, officials said.

The grants have been awarded to more than 15,000 local businesses, which employ 65,000 people; 22 local chambers of commerce; non-profit organizations, 28 local school districts; residents having trouble making rent or mortgage payments; retailers, restaurants and communities, among others.