CARES Act Relief Funding Now Available for Ohio Bars and Restaurants

Governor DeWine recently announced the availability of CARES Act funding for Ohio businesses impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, the State of Ohio started accepting online applications for more than $400 million in relief funding for Ohioans, including small businesses, low-income residents, and bars and restaurants.

The Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund was implemented to assist Ohio’s on-premise liquor permit holders, who have been especially hard-hit by the pandemic.  The $38.7 million fund will help Ohio bars and restaurants significantly impacted by COVID-19 and limited in the full use of their liquor permit due to alcohol sale curfews and capacity limits.

Ohio liquor permit holders with on-premise consumption privileges will be eligible to receive $2,500 per location.  Businesses need to have an active on-premise permit as of the close of business on Oct. 23, 2020 in order to qualify.

Click here for a link to eligibility criteria.

All businesses and organizations can begin the application process at 10 a.m. Monday at the Ohio Development Services Agency website by clicking here.