The commonwealth is kicking off a $40 million fund to help bars and restaurants that have taken much of the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions since the pandemic began.Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new round of measures Wednesday to curb the latest surge hitting Kentucky, putting focus on the service industry, again.There will not be another shutdown, something Beshear was adamant about, but the measures are meant to be “target” to help control the state’s third spike.When it comes to restaurants and bars, there will again be no more indoor dining or beverage consumption. Outdoor service (with adequate spacing), delivery and to-go will be permitted.Kentucky restaurants and bars were also working under capacity limits to indoor dining or beverage consumption, so revenue wasn’t the same compared to before the pandemic.Beshear said to offset the minimize the impact of the latest measures to the service industry, his administration is starting a $40 million fund.The food and beverage relief fund will allow eligible businesses the opportunity to apply for their share of the fund that uses federal dollars from the CARES Act.While details are still in the works, Beshear’s administration said that business owners who qualify will receive $10,000 to use for various costs. The money is not a loan and the maximum amount granted per business owner will be $20,000 (meaning that business owners with multiple locations can still only get the maximum amount.Beshear stressed that the fund will only apply to locally owned businesses, meaning that those that are owned by publicly traded companies are not eligible.Businesses with at least 50% of their sales that come through the drive-thru will also not be eligible, Beshear’s office said.The businesses will also need to ensure that they are in compliance with the latest COVID-19 guidelines and ensure that they remain in compliance.The fund will be administered by the Public Protection Cabinet.Eligible businesses can apply online (when the website kicks off) beginning Nov. 30 and lasting through Dec. 18.More updates about the fund will be released in the coming weeks.
The commonwealth is kicking off a $40 million fund to help bars and restaurants that have taken much of the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions since the pandemic began.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new round of measures Wednesday to curb the latest surge hitting Kentucky, putting focus on the service industry, again.
There will not be another shutdown, something Beshear was adamant about, but the measures are meant to be “target” to help control the state’s third spike.
When it comes to restaurants and bars, there will again be no more indoor dining or beverage consumption. Outdoor service (with adequate spacing), delivery and to-go will be permitted.
Kentucky restaurants and bars were also working under capacity limits to indoor dining or beverage consumption, so revenue wasn’t the same compared to before the pandemic.
Beshear said to offset the minimize the impact of the latest measures to the service industry, his administration is starting a $40 million fund.
The food and beverage relief fund will allow eligible businesses the opportunity to apply for their share of the fund that uses federal dollars from the CARES Act.
While details are still in the works, Beshear’s administration said that business owners who qualify will receive $10,000 to use for various costs. The money is not a loan and the maximum amount granted per business owner will be $20,000 (meaning that business owners with multiple locations can still only get the maximum amount.
Beshear stressed that the fund will only apply to locally owned businesses, meaning that those that are owned by publicly traded companies are not eligible.
Businesses with at least 50% of their sales that come through the drive-thru will also not be eligible, Beshear’s office said.
The businesses will also need to ensure that they are in compliance with the latest COVID-19 guidelines and ensure that they remain in compliance.
The fund will be administered by the Public Protection Cabinet.
Eligible businesses can apply online (when the website kicks off) beginning Nov. 30 and lasting through Dec. 18.
More updates about the fund will be released in the coming weeks.
