Fairfax, VA – Fairfax City will launch a Winter Preparedness Initiative Micro-Grant on Friday, October 9, 2020 as part of the Fairfax City ReConnected Outdoors Program aimed at supporting the recovery of the city’s restaurant community with a temporary and measured expansion of outdoor dining.

The Winter Preparedness Initiative, identifies guidelines to safely comply with outdoor dining standards during the cooler fall and winter months.  As part of the initiative, the city, in partnership with the Economic Development Authority will be issuing micro-grants that will provide direct assistance to city restaurants that seek to continue outdoor dining operations into the fall and winter seasons.  Funds from the Winter Preparedness Initiative Micro-Grant will cover costs associated specifically with adjustments and investments in preparing for cooler weather.  The micro-grant will provide 100 city restaurants with a $3,000 grant for expenditures such as heating, lighting, furniture, fixtures, fire extinguishers, and landscaping.  In total, the city has allocated $300,000 from funding received through the Commonwealth’s allocation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Grants will be reviewed on a first come, first-serve basis beginning on Friday, October 9, 2020 through Monday, November 30, 2020 or as funds remain available.  

“We understand that colder weather will require our restaurant community to rethink some of their outdoor dining strategies,” says David Meyer, City of Fairfax Mayor.  “We want to ease that burden as much as possible for our city restaurants by providing financial assistance to allow them to make needed accommodations to ensure outdoor dining can continue as long as possible.”

Danette Nguyen, Assistant Director of Economic Development said, “As city restaurants plan for the winter season, these initiatives not only support health and safety measures, they add to the guest experience.  We’re excited to build upon the Fairfax City ReConnected program with this grant and provide an additional lifeline to our restaurant community.”

To learn more about Fairfax City’s Winter Preparedness Initiative and Micro-Grant, visit fairfaxcityconnected.com/winter.