Hospitality Industry Grant program now accepting applications

The application process has now begun for the Hospitality Industry Grant program that was recently approved by the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners, which has designated $30 million of the Business Grant Program specifically for the Hospitality Industry.

Partners in this program include Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality Industry Relief Fund and SOBEWFF, among others.

“We recognize the hardship this shutdown has placed on the local hospitality community in Miami-Dade County and want to do our part to offset those financial burdens,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “We remain committed to balancing the priority of public health with the preservation of our local economy and are pleased to partner with the SOBEWFF and FIU Chaplin School team, along with other community partners, who were among the first to launch and successfully execute hospitality relief initiatives in South Florida. Our goal with this latest effort is to quickly deliver financial relief to help sustain our local hospitality businesses so they are positioned to reopen and rehire as we overcome this crisis.”

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 $30 million 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 (2) establishments per restaurant/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.

Eligibility Requirements
Restaurant or non-home-based caterer with a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation License to operate as a restaurant or caterer

Ineligible

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

Criteria

• Restaurants or non-home-based caterers located in Miami-Dade County with a maximum of 50 employees and annual revenue does not exceed $10M
• Restaurants or non-home-based caterers located in Miami-Dade County with a maximum of 75 employees and annual revenue does not exceed $15M

For the specific rules of the application process and to apply, click here.