BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland restaurants will receive $50 million in state aid as they continue to struggle with devastating financial losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
State officials released details Thursday on how much aid will be given to restaurants in each jurisdiction. The Baltimore Sun reports that it’s not clear when restaurant owners in most of the state will be able to access the money.
Funds for restaurants, artists, arts organizations, entertainment venues and other businesses are part of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s latest, $250 million economic relief package, drawn from Maryland’s Rainy Day Fund to help businesses hurt by the pandemic.
Of that total, $50 million will be available to restaurant owners for rent, payroll and job training, as well as equipment purchases to expand outdoor dining, infrastructure improvements and personal protective equipment, the commerce department said.
The money will be distributed based on the number of restaurants in each jurisdiction, according to the state.
But many restaurants must wait even to apply for the aid, because it is being distributed through their local governments, most of which have not yet started their own relief programs, said Amanda Winters, a state commerce department spokeswoman.
“It is Gov. Hogan’s intent to have all funding distributed by Dec. 31,” Winters said in an email.
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