Connecticut's hospitality industry was hit hard by COVID-19, and a new state program will help those businesses hurt by the pandemic.

While many of our favorite restaurants, hotels, wineries, breweries, entertainment venues and more have made progress in their recovery, we know they're still struggling.

Over 1,700 eligible CT-based hospitality businesses will soon receive checks in the mail through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's CT Hospitality Industry Support Program. The new grant program was established in the state budget passed during the 2021 legislative session allocating $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support hospitality businesses that experienced financial losses because of the pandemic.

Businesses will receive checks directly from the state Department of Revenue Services in amounts ranging from $7,500 to $49,999. The base grant for businesses located in distressed municipalities is $15,000. Businesses DO NOT have to apply for the grant.

To receive a grant, existing businesses must meet several criteria, including a decline of 15% or more in gross receipts when comparing calendar years 2019 to 2021. Grants can be used to support payroll and benefits; employee retention; mortgage, rent, utility, and other operating expenses; existing equipment/facilities maintenance; or costs to support COVID-19 mitigation and infection prevention strategies.

These grants will help offset some of the financial challenges hospitality businesses experienced in the face of the pandemic and help stabilize them going forward. Our state continues to support our business community and this program is another example of that ongoing commitment.

You can learn more about this new grant program here.