Small, independently-owned restaurants, breweries and wineries in San Mateo County have begun receiving $10,000 grants thanks to a community effort inspired by a $1 million pledge from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to support local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nearly $4 million raised for the Restaurant, Brewery and Winery Relief Program, which includes a $1.384 million contribution from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, San Mateo Credit Union and Silicon Valley Community Foundation, will provide $10,000 grants to 400 businesses across the county.
“The San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA) has worked with individual cities, towns, and other potential donors to approve additional funding needed to ensure as many eligible applicants as possible across San Mateo County receive $10,000 grants,” according to the County.
A total of over 600 likely eligible businesses applied for the grants, the County said.
The grants aim to keep local residents employed and the local economy vibrant.
“This grant program is another example of how the County and the 20 cities and towns within San Mateo County prioritize collaboration and working together – especially over the past 13+ months on saving as many small businesses as possible from the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic,” Board of Supervisors President David Canepa said in a statement.
An unnamed restaurant owner in North Fair Oaks expressed his gratitude in a thank you note, stating, “this will help us tremendously after such a difficult year due to the pandemic. Everything worked excellently well, thank you for all this help.”
Photo credit: Scopio
