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Ohio bar and restaurant grant fund: $11 million left in budget; 4,400 businesses still eligible

There is $11 million left in the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund according to the Ohio Department of Commerce.

Nearly 4,400 businesses haven’t applied that are eligible to receive money from this fund. The Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund offers non-competitive grants of $2,500 per unique business location to businesses with on-premise liquor licenses.

El Sombrero in Troy is one of the business that’s eligible that’s yet to apply. Owner Ruben Pelayo said he’s aware of the fund but didn’t apply because he felt others may have been in greater need.

“For me the first thing my mom and I talk about was that in particular,” Pelayo said. “Why apply for this when maybe we would take that money from somebody else that really needs it more than we did.”

He didn’t want to speak for other businesses but said he would guess that many of the others that didn’t apply had a similar line of thinking that he had. Concern that by applying the money may run out and not help people in the greatest need.

“$2500 can go a long way, it can at least provide to buy liquor for the next 4, 5, 6 months because business is a little slow,” Pelayo said.

With $11 million left in the fund it’s enough for 4,400 businesses to each receive $2,500. Hearing that that much money is still available was eye opening to many.

“It is a surprise, you mentioned the numbers,” Pelayo said. “It would not be a bad idea to talk to my mom again and see if we can apply, we’re not going to short anybody.”

>> CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR BUSINESS IS STILL ELIGIBLE

The deadline for businesses to apply for the grant money is Jan. 31.

Businesses can go to businesshelp.ohio.gov to access the application.

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