Restaurants and bars around Oakland County will soon see additional stabilization grants coming their way. This news comes after the Oakland Together Restaurant Relief Program announced it will provide $10 million in additional funding to help boost local businesses. The $10 million Oakland Together Restaurant Relief Program will use $7 million of Oakland County's federal CARES Act allocation and $3 million from the county's general fund to support restaurants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and a reduction in business.

According to David T. Woodward, Chairman of Oakland County’s Board of Commissioners, he and county officials want to see restaurants and bars emerge from the pandemic. Woodward relates that the Oakland Together Restaurant Relief Program emphasizes the county’s position of supporting local restaurant owners and workers during this challenging time.

The $10 million that is part of the Oakland Together Restaurant Relief Program will be distributed in three different ways. $7 million from the county’s CARES Act allocation will be divided among the approximately 1,000 businesses that previously received stabilization, recovery or restart grants. These businesses can use the funds to cover expenses for perishable food, rent, mortgage payments and labor cost. The $2 million from the county's general fund will be used to assist some restaurants and bars with adapting their establishment for outdoor service. Lastly, Oakland County will utilize $1 million to help businesses reopen safely through the purchase of personal protective equipment, hand sanitation stations and computer software that will help businesses contract trace customers who have been or may have been exposed to the virus.