SWED opening restaurant relief grant fund for wicomico county restaurants impacted by COVID-19

SALISBURY, Md. — Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development INC., also known as SWED, will start accepting applications for their new Restaurant Relief Grant Fund on Monday, November 16th.

SWED says they received $836,000  in funding from the state of Maryland, to help restaurants in Wicomico County that have been significantly and negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Grants of up to 15-thousand dollars are available for restaurants. We’re told targeted grant amounts consist of three levels ($5,000, $10,000 and $15,000) and are based on the number of full time employees a restaurant has.

Wicomico County Acting Executive John Psota said in part quote “we appreciate the State of Maryland’s partnership and in recognizing the challenges facing our restaurant industry. A special thank you
to SWED once again for your leadership in helping small businesses throughout Wicomico County mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Officials say grant funds may be used for Funds may be used for expenditures incurred or to be incurred between March 1 and December 30 of this year. Eligible expenditures include: payroll, technology to support carryout and delivery, PPE purchases, Purchase of equipment and services to expand outdoor dining capacity (such as tents, heaters, warmers and carts), infrastructure improvements such as HVAC upgrades, technology to support carryout and delivery, disposable food containers and utensils, and sanitation services.

The application period starts November 16th at 9:00 am and ends November 20th at 4 p.m. Actual grant awards are expected to commence on Monday, November 23.

For more information or to apply, you can visit their website here.