Third round of Rockford restaurant relief grants opens, expanding eligibility to bars and coffee shops
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — A third round of grants designed to provide local restaurants relief from a surge in unemployment insurance costs caused by pandemic-mandated closures has opened, this time expanding eligibility to bars and coffee shops that serve food.
GoRockford and state Rep. Maurice West announced the latest round of funding on Wednesday. Applications, which can be submitted HERE, are open until Feb. 28.
The program has provided $665,000 to 39 restaurants since its inception last May. A second round of funding went out in October.
Grants ranged from about $165 to $80,000, based on total staff layoffs, unemployment claims and the financial impact to each restaurant, according to GoRockford, which administers the program. The organization said every restaurant that met eligibility requirements was awarded funding.
“Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are cornerstones of our community, offering more than food and drink — they’re places where connections are made and traditions are celebrated,” said state Rep. Maurice West, who secured $1.5 million in state funds for the program. “Expanding this program to include bars and coffee shops ensures we’re addressing a wider range of needs in our community and helping these small businesses sustain their vital role in our local economy.”
The program was launched as a means to help restaurants who saw their unemployment rates skyrocket, sometimes by as much as a factor of seven, in the wake of forced closures during the pandemic.
The state had halted those unemployment rate increases during lockdowns, but that freeze ended before restaurants Rockford were allowed to fully reopen.
Local restaurant owners had pleaded with the state for their rates to be restored to prepandemic rates. When that didn’t happen, West secured money in the state budget as a means to offer relief in a different way.
“Supporting our local establishments remains a top priority,” said John Groh, president and CEO of GoRockford. “With this expanded eligibility, we’re committed to helping even more of local businesses that serve food, helping them thrive and continue contributing to the vibrancy of Rockford and Winnebago County.”
How to apply
Detailed information about eligibility, application requirements and the submission process can be found at gorockford.com/restaurant-
Eligible applicants must certify that:
- The restaurant’s principal place of business is located within Winnebago County.
- The restaurant complied with the indoor dining closure mandates enacted by the state during quarter 1 and quarter 2 of 2021 via executive orders 2021-01, 2021-02, 2021-03, 2021-04, 2021-05, 2021-6, 2021-9, and 2021-10.
- In complying with indoor dining closure mandates in quarter 1 and quarter 2 of 2021, the restaurant laid off staff and, as a result, has experienced higher unemployment benefit charges in Q1 and Q2 2021.
- The restaurant incurred a higher rate of state unemployment taxes in 2022, 2023 and 2024 because of the higher unemployment benefit charges in Q1 and Q2 of 2021.
- The restaurant remains operational today.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
