The Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund is offering eligible businesses the opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 reimbursable grants to aid with Covid-19 related disruptions. 

In a statement made by Westchester County Legislator Terry Clements, information was provided about the fund, as well as a link for further information. Clements said that the $3 million program aims to support full-service restaurants that are being impacted by the restrictions on outdoor dining. 

The state has issued a series of guidelines through the New York Forward reopening guidance about how dining may proceed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Restaurants that are in yellow, orange or red zones are given further restrictions and some have been limited to strictly take-out and delivery orders. 

The fund is open to businesses that are full-service restaurants or establishments that traditionally serve patrons while seated, had no more than $3 million in 2019 revenue, must have been in operation on or before March 1, 2019 and comply with the other eligibility requirements outlined on the state website.  

The grant funds will be supplied on a reimbursable basis and can be used for improvements that will allow businesses to comply with social-distancing and New York guidelines. Some of the suggestions on the website include the purchase of barriers and heaters, as well as signage to promote social distancing. 

 The online application for the Covid-19 recovery fund can be found here,