Ohio Restaurant Association backs $100M state grant program for restaurant pandemic recovery

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) says it is optimistic about the positive impact Ohio’s Food and Beverage Establishment Grant Program will make on thousands of businesses in the state.

“The ORA strongly advocated for this relief and appreciates Gov. (Mike) DeWine, Lt. Gov. (Jon) Husted and the Ohio Legislature’s support of Ohio’s restaurants, bars and other food-service businesses,” said John Barker, president & CEO of the ORA. “Given the long road so many in our industry have to recover from the last 15 months of losses, operating restrictions and additional costs, this relief is needed. The restaurant industry lost $290 billion nationally in sales during the pandemic, and more than 3,000 restaurants closed in Ohio.”

The program, which designates $100 million for Ohio’s COVID-19 impacted hospitality businesses, was established under Senate Bill 108 and signed by DeWine. It will be administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency, with the application portal officially due to open on June 29.

Barker added that all of Ohio’s hospitality businesses should thoroughly review materials so they will be well prepared to apply when the application portal officially opens. ORA members and others can review more on the association’s website at ohiorestaurant.org.

Beginning June 29, 2021, businesses can submit an application at: BusinessHelp.Ohio.Gov. Eligible businesses:

• Must have at least one physical location in Ohio that has been in operation since at least Dec. 1, 2019 (there is a separate New Small Business Grant Program for businesses that opened in 2020).
• Must include food service contractors; caterers; mobile food services; drinking places, such as bars, taverns, nightclubs, etc.; full-service restaurants; limited-service restaurants; coffee shops; cafeterias; buffets; snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars (there is a separate Entertainment Venue Grant and Lodging Business Grant program for those businesses).
• Must have experienced at least a 10% reduction in sales/revenue in 2020 at one or more Ohio locations as a result of COVID-19.
• Must be in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State, the Ohio Department of Taxation, and any other governmental entity charged with regulating the business.

To access the application, individuals will be required to login using an existing OH|ID or create a new OH|ID, which provides users with secure access to state of Ohio services and programs. For more information or to receive help in creating an OH|ID, visit OHID.Ohio.Gov. After an application is approved, businesses also will be required to provide an Ohio Supplier ID assigned by the Ohio Office of Budget and Management. If the applicant business does not currently have an Ohio Supplier ID, the business will be required to register at Supplier.Ohio.Gov. A Supplier ID is required so that grant funds can be distributed by direct deposit.