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BOSTON
- Wednesday, September 30 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the
expansion of the Reopen
Boston Fund to ensure restaurants in Boston are able to purchase
necessary equipment for outdoor dining this fall and winter. This
opportunity will include costs to cover heaters, storage equipment, and
propane.
In
May, Mayor Walsh announced the $6 million Reopen
Boston Fund, which provides debt-free grants to support the safe and healthy
reopening of small businesses in Boston. To date, the City of Boston has
issued more than $2.5 million in direct grants to 1,325 qualified small
businesses to implement necessary public health measures and to procure
personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies. The Reopen Boston Fund
continues to offer grants to eligible small businesses of up to $2,000 (for
non-restaurants) to assist with reopening costs, now with the expanded fall
and winter relief category for restaurants up to $3,000 (for restaurants).
Applications are now open, and will be reviewed and approved on a rolling
basis.
"As
we head into the cooler months, we want to support the restaurants and
businesses that bring so much to our neighborhoods," said Mayor Walsh.
"Restaurants have continued to face incredible challenges during this
pandemic, and we remain committed to supporting them, whether it's through
expanded outdooring dining, or additional funding."
The
new fall and winter relief opportunity is available for restaurants operating
in the City of Boston with under 25 employees, and which has been approved
by the Licensing Board for the City of Boston to operate outdoor dining
through the temporary
extension permitting process. Any restaurants that have not yet applied
for or received funding from the Reopen Boston Fund can apply for up to
$3,000 to cover reopening costs associated with outdoor dining. Restaurants
who previously received Reopen Boston funds are eligible for additional
funds and may re-submit an updated budget that includes fall and winter
relief and does not exceed $3,000 in total. Eligible expenses include
outdoor heating equipment, including heaters, storage, and propane;
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); and outdoor seating materials like
tables, chairs, barriers. Information and applications are available at
boston.gov/reopen-fund.
On
September 15, the Licensing Board for the City of Boston issued
an advisory regarding the extension of the City's Temporary Outdoor
Dining Program and the use of approved heaters. Restaurants utilizing public
sidewalks and parking lanes for outdoor dining may continue the approved
use of those spaces until December 1, 2020, weather permitting or until
further notice or until the Boston Licensing Board issues further guidance.
Outdoor dining on private property has been extended for the duration of
the COVID-19 related public health emergency. In addition, application fees
will be waived for businesses that apply for a permit
for outdoor propane heaters from the Boston Fire Department. All
restaurants applying for the additional grant must have an approved
Extension of Premises License and a permit from the Boston Fire Department
for any outdoor heating requirements.
Licensees
interested in the Temporary Outdoor Dining Program that have not previously
applied may do so via the online
application process. If businesses need support through this process,
please email smallbiz@boston.gov
for technical assistance. A list of restaurants with outdoor dining is available
on boston.gov.
Today's
fall and winter relief announcement builds on the work the Walsh
Administration has undertaken to support small businesses during the City's
COVID-19 response and through the reopening of our economy. In total, the
City of Boston has dedicated over $12.6 million in City, federal, and
private funding to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Through
the Small
Business Relief Fund, Mayor Walsh has announced that nearly $6.5
million in debt-free grants have been distributed to over 1,800 small
businesses in every neighborhood across the City of Boston. The City of
Boston has also created a number of useful guides and resources for small
businesses impacted by COVID-19. The Open
Businesses in Boston and Support
Boston Restaurants platforms have helped businesses to publicly share
that they are open and direct residents to supporting local establishments.
The above resources and more industry-specific guidance are accessible on
boston.gov/covid19-businesses. For all coronavirus updates from the City of
Boston, please visit boston.gov/coronavirus. | 
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