The MontcoStrong 2021 Restaurant Grant Program  has awarded a total of $6 million to 600 restaurants and food service businesses that have been hit hard by COVID-19.

The money was made available by the Montgomery County Commissioners in county economic development funds aimed specifically at supporting restaurants and other food service businesses.

“Small businesses, especially restaurants help define our communities,” said Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “When they suffer, our communities also suffer.”

He added that the limitations put on indoor dining along with the loss of outdoor dining due to the recent cold weather have been devastating for many restaurants.

“I’m glad to hear that these grants are making a difference in the lives of these business owners,” he said.

Each of the MontcoStrong awardees received $10,000. The full list of grant recipients is available here.

A total of 56 municipalities were represented in the approved grants. Additionally, 33 percent identified as minority-owned, 33 percent identified as female-owned, and 4 percent identified as veteran-owned.

“We are so appreciative to have received this grant for our business,” said Ryan Rosen co-owner at Leslie Rosen Catering, one of the awardees.