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Eligible restaurants in Aurora who have not received AER funding in 2020 were invited to apply for financial assistance from the city’s new Aurora Restaurant Relief Grant Program. The application period is now closed

The program will allocate $1 million in Adams and Arapahoe county CARES Coronavirus Relief Funds to provide economic assistance to Aurora restaurants experiencing financial stress or disrupted operations during the COVID-19 outbreak and economic downturn.

This program will provide grants up to $10,000 per eligible Aurora restaurant to meet business rent and payroll expenses with appropriate documentation demonstrating need as a result of COVID-19 impacts.

Overall Eligibility

Businesses who previously received funding through the city of Aurora’s first three rounds of AER grant funding (Aurora Economic Relief, Aurora Economic Recovery or Aurora Economic Resiliency) are not eligible for the Restaurant Relief Program, and grant funding may not duplicate needs funded by other programs or grants received by the applicants.

Eligible businesses include the following: 

• Restaurants, including any liquor-licensed establishment holding a hotel and restaurant license; 
• Bars, including those that hold a liquor license for on-premise consumption.
• Breweries, wineries and distilleries that operate an attached sales room; 
• Caterers

Applicants must have applied between Jan. 4 and Jan. 14. Applications must have been submitted by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, to qualify for consideration.

Minimum Qualifications for a Grant

Eligible businesses must be located within the city of Aurora, established prior to May 1, 2020, have 50 or fewer employees (combined full-time and part-time), have an Aurora business license, and be in good standing, among other requirements.

Eligible businesses must ensure that all city sales and use tax filings and remittance are current. Visit the Aurora Tax and Licensing Portal to verify your business license number and status and tax status.

All businesses must have a current food service license issued by the Tri-County Health Department or Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Franchise business owners are eligible for the program if they meet one of the following requirements:

• The only franchise location owned by the applicant is in the city of Aurora.
• The Aurora franchise location accounts for more than 50% of its total number of employees 
• The franchise location applying for funding accounts for more than 50% of its gross sales  

Grant Eligible Purposes

Grant funding of up to $10,000 may be used for business rent and/or employee payroll if the applicant provides appropriate documentation demonstrating need as a result of COVID-19 impacts.  

The total grant funds awarded will be based on the applicant request and ability to demonstrate need with appropriate documentation.

Appropriate documentation to demonstrate COVID-related impacts include but are not limited to the following:
• Profit and Loss Statements
• Quarterly Income Tax Statements 
• Monthly payroll
• Lease agreements
• Eviction Notice
• Notice of Delinquent/Missed Payments
• Letter from a Landlord

Application Process

The application process was designed to be quick and easy. The application was due by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14.

Grant review will occur in January, and total grant funds awarded will be based on the applicant request and ability to demonstrate need with appropriate documentation. All grant awards will be expended by the end of January.

More Information

If you have questions, we are here to help. Email us at [email protected].