As hundreds of restaurants across Bowling Green scale back or temporarily close due to COVID-19 restrictions, the city is offering grants to help them survive the pandemic.
Bowling Green has designated $1,885,000 to assist businesses with 50 or fewer employees.
Bowling Green City Manager Jeff Meisel said code enforcement officers who are currently bringing information on COVID-19 regulations to dining establishments are also providing details about the BG CARES program.
"That’s why we want to get out, too, and publicize that we do have CARES money that we would happy to help with small businesses here in Bowling Green," Meisel said. "And we’re going to pass out information on that as we’re out and about with these businesses and restaurants and bars that have really been probably hit the hardest.”
Big box stores are not eligible for the grant, with is specifically intended to help local businesses stay afloat as they face the continuing challenges of the pandemic.
“Small businesses that operate within the city limits, who can prove they’ve been impacted by COVID-19, which I think everyone probably can, may be eligible for grants up to $2,500 for 26 employees or less, and up to $5,000 for as many as 50 employees,” Meisel said.
Information and applications are online.
Paper applications are available at Bowling Green Neighborhood and Community Services.
Four Bowling Green code enforcement officers, who usually focus on exterior maintenance issues, are assisting the Barren River District Health Department in an outreach and education capacity on COVID-19 regulations.
Any major concerns noticed by the code enforcement officers on their stops at restaurants around town will be forwarded to the health department, which has enforcement authority.
