LA County Restaurants Can Apply For Financial Relief To Receive Up To $30K In Aid
ALHAMBRA (CBSLA) — Restaurants that have lost business due to coronavirus health regulations in Los Angeles County can apply this week to receive up to $30,000 in aid.
The Keep Los Angeles County Dining Grant Program officially begins Thursday, allowing eligible eateries — excluding those in the cities of Los Angeles and Pasadena — to receive up to $30,000 in assistance for employee payroll, capital to continue operations, payment of outstanding business expenses and adaptive business practices needed to remain open.
"Even $10,000 is a help right now," Giuseppe Musso, executive chef at Michael's Downtown Italian Kitchen in Long Beach, said. "Everything is helpful, even $100."
A total of roughly $5.6 million is available, to be split among the county's five districts.
Eligible L.A. County restaurants must have less than 25 employees and no more than five locations total. Preference will be given to restaurants that provided outdoor dining as of Nov. 24, according to the county. Pop-up locations and food trucks do not qualify for the relief funds.
The county recently cut off in-person dining due to a surge in COVID cases.
The program will be operated by the Los Angeles County Development Authority.
Businesses that have already received assistance from other Los Angeles County Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act programs are not eligible.
"This pandemic and the recent closure of outdoor dining has been devastating to our restaurants and restaurant workers," County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement. "These grants are meant to help as many restaurants as possible make ends meet and make it through this crisis. We know it won't be enough. We need another federal stimulus package to get a lifeline to all of our businesses and workers that are struggling."
The application period will open Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. and remain open through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, or until 2,500 applications are received, whichever comes first.
Additional program information is available at keeplacountydining.lacda.org or by calling 626-943-3833.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)
