It’s called the Safest Outside Restaurant Assistance Program and the budget just got a little bigger — an extra $2 million, to be exact.
Earlier this week, Governor Doug Ducey announced the additional funding so that more local restaurants can apply for the program. It’s all meant to be used toward expanding outdoor dining, protecting those stopping by and grabbing a bite to eat, keeping the staff healthy, and limiting the spread of COVID-19.
“Many restaurants have utilized outdoor dining to welcome more customers while maintaining safety,” said Governor Ducey, “and we want to make sure our local restaurants have the opportunity to expand their outdoor seating.”
So, the program is designed to fund up to $10,000 for each restaurant that’s approved after the application process.
Since the program started in December, more than 260 restaurants all across Arizona have applied to the program and a little more than 110 have received funding.
Now that the program has an additional $2 million, more restaurants are encouraged to apply and have until Friday, March 5 to do so.
For more information about the Safest Outside Restaurant Assistance Program and how to apply for funding, visit azcommerce.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
