FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2021

CONTACT
Kristin O’Keefe
VP of Communications & Marketing
kristin@thinkmoco.com
240.641.6703

Restaurant Relief Grant Program Provides $10,000 for New Applicants and a Supplemental $5,000 for Previous Recipients

Rockville, Md. — The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) will administer a second round of restaurant relief grants beginning February 1, 2021. Montgomery County received $4.9 million in state funds as part of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s second aid package for Maryland restaurants.

The original MoCo Restaurant Relief Grant was just completed in December 2020. MCEDC successfully promoted and implemented this first round of grants, resulting in 836 applicants. Of those, 95 percent (793 restaurants, food trucks, caterers, wineries and breweries) received a grant award of $10,000. The complete list of previous Phase One recipients can be found here.

MCEDC will administer and award new Phase Two grants of $10,000 to eligible local restaurants that had not previously applied for a MoCo Restaurant Relief Grant. New applications for Phase Two grants will open February 1 and must be submitted by 5 PM on February 10, 2021. The grant can cover a variety of eligible expenses, including rent and payroll. More information about the program can be found at the MCEDC website.

In addition to accepting new applications, MCEDC will provide the original 793 recipients of the Restaurant Relief Grant Program with an automatic $5,000 supplemental grant from the Phase Two funds, provided that they are still open and meet all prior eligibility requirements. Given the closeness in time to the first round and to ease any burdens on restaurants to apply, previous Phase One recipients will not need to take any steps to directly apply for the $5,000 supplemental grant. Those original recipients will receive an email from MCEDC clarifying the details and timing of their Phase Two $5,000 supplemental grant. All grants will be distributed by March 15, 2021.

Working with the Montgomery County Executive and MCEDC, on January 26, 2021, the County Council voted to approve the $4.9 million Phase Two Restaurant Relief Grant Program appropriation.

“While restaurants were appreciative of the first round of support, it’s clear they need additional help. This latest round of Restaurant Relief Grant is another important way to reach local restaurants that hadn't previously benefitted from the program, while also helping to provide additional support for past recipients as they face an already challenging winter,” said Benjamin H. Wu, the President and CEO of MCEDC. 

MCEDC is asking Montgomery County residents and business owners to share the news about the second round of the Restaurant Relief Grant program with small eateries that may not have heard of the grant program the first time, and continue to support restaurants and retail through online ordering, curbside pickup and gift card purchases. 

MCEDC will be promoting the Restaurant Relief Grant program with flyers in multiple languages available for businesses and customers to download and drop off at their favorite restaurants when they visit for carryout and curbside — or to email to a favorite establishment.  

Other supports for Montgomery County restaurants include:  

Visit Montgomery’s MoCo Eats Guide, a restaurant directory that promotes delivery, outdoor seating options and more; and  

MCEDC’s 3R Initiative supporting local restaurants and retail with targeted aid, placemaking and the new MoCoMarketplace.com, which offers special shopping information, deals and competitive incentives, all to encourage customers to support local businesses while shopping safely; and

Winter Restaurant Week presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) running until February 7, where area restaurants are offering tasting menus and special drinks via delivery, pick-up or dine-in (where available).

To apply for the grant, find eligible grant uses, read FAQs and download flyers, please visit our website. Email questions to restaurantrelief@thinkmoco.com.

ABOUT MCEDC

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is the official public-private economic development organization representing Montgomery County, Maryland. Created in 2016, MCEDC is led by a Board of Directors of business executives. Its mission is to help businesses start, grow and relocate in Montgomery County by helping them gain access to top talent, business and market intelligence and prime locations. For more information, visit our website. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.