3-24-2022 10:30am

First Reviving Rockland Restaurant Grants Distributed

Just in time for Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. are proud to announce the first four recipients of our Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program, which is reimbursing businesses between $5,000 and $25,000 for past or future expenses for eligible outdoor dining COVID-19 mitigation equipment.

Restaurants have faced many difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic such as periods of closure, reduced capacity, or declining revenues when customers were unable or unwilling to dine-in. These challenges had significant negative impacts on restaurant employment and the economy.

County Executive Ed Day said, “We have made great progress in recovering from the economic damage of the COVID-19 pandemic with our January unemployment rate reaching 3.3%, but we must continue to support our local restaurants which are a vital part of our economy. These organizations support our residents, and it is our duty to support them in return, however possible. I’m proud to reimburse restaurants for unexpected costs forced upon them by the pandemic and this program will help ensure their economic recovery stays on track.”

Cornetta’s Restaurant and Marina in Piermont, Diddy’s Soul Food and Lounge in Suffern, Lynch’s Restaurant in Stony Point, and AquaTerra Grille in Pearl River are the first restaurants to reach the contract phase of the grant program with awards ranging from $17,000 to the maximum $25,000.

County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. said, “Restaurants stepped up and did everything in their power stay open for business through the pandemic and we are committed to doing whatever we can to help them. This grant will remain open until the funding is exhausted. We encourage all restaurants to apply as soon as they can.”

In total, Rockland County received $63 million in Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which is geared towards helping residents and businesses fully recover from the pandemic. The Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program is utilizing $500,000 of ARPA funds to support local businesses.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer said, “I was proud to deliver over $63 million to Rockland County through the American Rescue Plan, which is being well used in the Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program to help mom-and-pop businesses. As we look to revive and rebuild Rockland County’s economy, supporting our neighborhood restaurants at the heart of our communities is essential. From Suffern to Stony Point, I am proud to deliver these first awards in partnership with Rockland County to help the local restaurants we know, and love keep doing what they do best.”

Congressman Mondaire Jones said, “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our local restaurants in Rockland have had to adapt to the new normal of takeout dining and curbside pickup, and many of them struggled to stay afloat. Through the American Rescue Plan last year, I’m proud to have brought $63 million in funding to the government of Rockland County and applaud County Executive Ed Day’s decision to use some of that funding to help our restaurants through the Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program. I’m thrilled that after applying for these grants, the first four restaurants in Rockland will receive the support necessary to continue serving our communities. I’m proud to have secured this much-needed relief and will continue working alongside our partners on the County level to ensure every restaurant gets the support they deserve.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “When we passed the American Rescue Plan, our goal was to ensure that municipalities had flexible funding so they could best assist rebuilding their communities. The Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program is a terrific example of a county meeting the needs of their local small businesses. This local program serves as a huge boost in helping our restaurants, food stands, food trucks, bars, saloons, lounges, taverns, bakeries, delis, cafes, breweries, and wineries attain the necessary resources in order to take the next steps to recover from the COVID-19 economic malaise. As we adjust to the world around us, I encourage foodies from all over the region to support their favorite local restaurant and dine in or take out their favorite meal as we celebrate this year’s special Hudson Valley Restaurant Week.”

This program is still accepting applications and businesses are encouraged to apply. Eligible entities include restaurants, food stands, food trucks, bars, saloons, lounges, taverns, bakeries, delis, cafes, breweries, wineries, and other similar places of business.

Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to: