New Money: CT Will Distribute $30M In COVID Relief To Some Businesses

CONNECTICUT — More than 1,700 of Connecticut's hospitality sector businesses can expect to receive their cut of $30 million in COVID-19 relief grants beginning this week.

Restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, breweries, wineries, travel services, transportation services, and other such businesses can anticipate receiving checks ranging in amounts from $7,500 to $49,999. The funding is part of the Connecticut Hospitality Industry Support Program, sourced through the federal government's American Rescue Plan Act.

Not every restaurant or limo service should anticipate a windfall. To receive a grant, existing businesses must have met several criteria developed by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. Most notable among those is a decline of 15 percent or more in gross receipts when comparing calendar years 2019 to 2021.

Grant amounts depend on the amount of loss and the overall level of gross receipts generated by the business. Businesses that filed tax returns beginning in calendar years 2019, 2020, or 2021 are receiving grants of $7,500 — or $15,000 if located in a distressed municipality —provided they meet certain eligibility criteria.

How do you apply? You don't.

DECD analyzed data from the Department of Revenue Service to identify those businesses that experienced losses sufficient to warrant the relief. If the hits to your business meet the criteria, your check is in the mail.

DECD Deputy Commissioner Alexandra Daum said, "Connecticut’s hospitality sector suffered devastating economic losses as a result of the pandemic – losses from which many are still recovering today. The Connecticut Hospitality Industry Support Program is intended to serve as a stabilizing force as our hospitality businesses get back to full operations and customers return to pre-pandemic behaviors."