On The Floor

$40 million in relief funds available for Kentucky restaurants

Jennifer Burnett

11/30/2020

The Food and Beverage Relief Fund Application system will open at noon EST on Nov. 30.

On Nov. 18, Gov. Andy Beshear signed an Executive Order closing restaurants to in-person services and announced that he was dedicating $40 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds for a Food and Beverage Relief Fund. The program, designed to provide assistance to bars and restaurants required to close to in-person services, will start taking applications at noon on Nov. 30, 2020. Applications will close when the fund runs out, or on Dec. 18, 2020, whichever comes first.

Access the Food and Beverage Relief website here, including a FAQ section and more information on eligibility.

Businesses will be eligible for up to $10,000 in assistance per location with a maximum award of up to $20,000 per business entity. Assistance will be paid as a lump sum for all documented eligible expenses, with payments anticipated to be dispensed no sooner than Dec. 8, 2020.

Eligibility Criteria:

Available to businesses that are defined as bars or restaurants
- Bars = business that holds a valid retail liquor by the drink license and serves drinks for on-site consumption.
- Restaurants = business that makes prepared meals in single quantities one customer at a time for on-site consumption.
Business with less than 50% of their sales via drive-thrus will be eligible.
Business may not be owned by a publicly traded company.
Business will be required to remain in compliance with all public health orders.
Any award will be a grant, not a loan. However, the grant may be considered taxable income (consult your tax professional for additional guidance), and awardees will receive a 1099 statement regarding any award received.
Entity must supply and maintain documentation demonstrating that the award reimbursed permissible expenses for a period of five (5) years.
Entities that do not comply with the terms of the program may be required to return the award.
Entities must complete the required certification in the application portal. To see a sample of the certification requirements, click here. There is no need to print or upload this document, as the system will complete the certification for you as part of the application process.