FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2020

Candice Grose

Public Information Officer

Office: 901.222.2322

Mobile: 901.481.3422

SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES “SHARE THE TAB” FUND TO AID LIMITED SERVICE RESTAURANTS IMPACTED BY COVID-19; $450,000 WILL BE SET ASIDE TO AID THESE BUSINESSES

Memphis, TN – Today, Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner and Mayor Lee Harris announced that $450,000 will be set aside to support limited service restaurants impacted by COVID-19. At the beginning of the summer, approximately forty-five restaurants were required to close their doors or considerably change their business model to address the critical threat of COVID-19. For the most part, these businesses have remained closed. To aid in sustaining these businesses, Shelby County Government will now make CARES Act funds available. Limited service restauranteurs can apply for a $10,000 “Share the Tab” grant to help offset specific COVID-related expenses, including certain rent/mortgage and payroll costs; sanitization expenses; expenses related to re-purposing to a full-service restaurant among other eligible expenses. Limited service restaurants are encouraged to apply by visiting covid19.shelbycountytn.gov and clicking “Share the Tab.”

Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner: “The ‘Share the Tab’ fund supports the restaurant and hospitality industry in a tangible way. We know that social distancing requirements make it difficult for social clubs and bars to operate as they did before. I hope that every qualifying business applies for the funds.”

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris: “Limited service restaurants, or bars, as they are most commonly referred, have taken a profound and significant hit to their businesses. These businesses are often locally owned. They employ thousands of workers in our community. They give back to our community in countless ways. This new program is about trying to help these businesses get on the path to recovery. Although we continue to fight COVID, we also have to move towards a safe economic recovery.”

Limited Service Restaurants Impacted by Directive No.8

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