Financial assistance available to hospitality industry

The Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners has approved $30 million for the Hospitality Industry Grant (HIG) program, a business grant program specifically for the hospitality industry. The goal of the program is to provide financial assistance to local independently owned and operated restaurants and non-home-based caterers impacted by COVID-19. Priority will be given to businesses that have not been approved or received funds from any institution under the Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPP) or other federal or state assisted business loan program and have a single establishment.

The HIG program will be calculated based on individual percentages of eligible costs incurred, with a maximum award of $25,000 per establishment. The program will award grants to a maximum of two establishments per restaurant or hospitality group. Priority will be given to applicants that have a single establishment. If an applicant has two or more establishments and requests assistance for both, then a single application must be submitted.

Restaurant or non-home-based caterer with a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation License to operate as a restaurant or caterer are eligible to apply.

The following are ineligible to apply:

• Nightclubs, bars or mobile food truck
• Chain, franchise restaurants, or hotel restaurants owned by hotel
• Home-based business of any kind

The requirements to apply include restaurants or non-home-based caterers located in Miami-Dade County either with a maximum of 50 employees and annual revenue that does not exceed $10 million, or a maximum of 75 employees and annual revenue that does not exceed $15 million.