After outdoor dining was expanded in Worcester amid COVID pandemic, city launches $50,000 grant program for restaurants to purchase supplies

Michael Bonner, MassLive

More help is on the way for restaurants in Worcester.

Hours after the city’s License Commission approved an extension to outdoor dining through the end of 2021, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. announced a new Outdoor Dining Grant Program.

The $50,000 program, made possible through donations from the Worcester Business Development Corporation, Unity Bank and Fidelity Bank will run for two weeks from April 5 through April 16.

Applications for the grants will be available on the city’s website starting Monday.

The grants will provide up to $2,000 per business. The funds are meant to help businesses with the costs of upfront expenses associated with outdoor dining such as tables, chairs and barriers.

“This is indicative of how we’ve all worked together throughout this pandemic,” Augustus said.

Earlier in the day on Thursday, the Worcester License Commission extended expanded outdoor dining regulations until Jan. 1, 2022.

The previous order that allowed restaurants to use outdoor space for tables and chairs was set to expire on May 1.

The order is in effect due to the Gov. Charlie Baker issuing a state of emergency regarding COVID-19. The order states outdoor expansion is possible due to the state of emergency. If the state of emergency is lifted before Jan. 1, 2022, expanded outdoors dining would conclude 60 days after.

The regulations included in the order call for dining to end by 10 p.m. on Sundays through Wednesdays. From Thursdays through Saturdays, dining must end before 11 p.m.

According to the order, seating is limited to no more than 20 people on sidewalks. Fewer than 20 seats at an outdoor patio doesn’t require the restaurant to provide more parking spaces. Fewer than 12 seats can be implemented at a restaurant’s parking lot.