Applications For $5 Million In Montco Restaurant Relief Now Open

NORRISTOWN, PA — The application period for the Montgomery County restaurant relief program, which will award select establishments $10,000, is now open.

The Montco Strong 2021 Restaurant Grant Program makes a total of $5 million in county economic development funds available to local restaurants and food service businesses hoping to survive the pandemic.

“We know that our restaurants are really struggling to stay open right now without in-person dining and we miss gathering at these places to share special times with family and friends,” Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence said in a statement Wednesday.

Restaurants were already limping to the end of 2020 when the fall surge of coronavirus hit, sending case numbers and hospitalizations skyrocketing. Stricter mitigation measures were handed down at the state level in Pennsylvania two weeks ago, disallowing all indoor dining until Jan. 4.

“The next few months after the holidays are typically slower in the restaurant sector, and we know this year it’s going to be even tougher, which is why we are making these grant funds available now," said David Zellers, Director of Montgomery County’s Commerce Department.

Applicants must have been in business since Jan. 1, 2020, and must be located in Montgomery County. They must also have been in compliance with all COVID-19 mitigation orders issued by the state since March 12.

Applications can be found online here.

The deadline is noon on Friday, Jan. 8. Award decisions will be made by mid to late January.