Adams County announced a new Restaurant Stability Program that will offer financial relief to local restaurants impacted by COVID-19. 

The program will offer one-time grants of $10,000 to businesses that show substantial loss because of indoor dining options being restricted, according to a media release. 

“While the new public health restrictions are necessary to combat the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, they do put another hardship on our local restaurants, their owners and their employees,” Emma Pinter, Board of County Commissioners chair, said in a release.

“Our hope with this program is that Adams County can provide some financial relief in this time of need.”

The program is apart of the county’s COVID-19 emergency response and recovery strategy and will be paid for through federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by congress earlier this year.

In order to be considered for the grant, businesses must fit the criteria for the grant including:

• Located in Adams County
• Must demonstrate how reduction or elimination of indoor dining has negatively affected the business model
• Restaurant must not have a drive-thru
• Restaurant must have been in public operation before Dec. 1.
• Cannot be in default or actively planning default.

Officials say beneficiaries of the grant cannot use the money to pay off long-term debt or equity payments to business partners. The money must be used for expenses related to daily operations. 

Applications for the grant open on Wednesday and can be found here.