FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner today announced two initiatives to support outdoor dining at Frederick County restaurants. Restaurants may apply for a new Fired Up Grant program to help with the purchase of heaters and fuel for outdoor dining areas. In addition, a new partnership will be launching later this month to allow restaurant deliveries to designated parks.
“Most diners have expressed their preference to eat outside,” said Executive Gardner. “These grants and the Parkside Pickup program will give diners options so they can support our economy while dining safely outdoors.”
Under the Fired Up Grants, restaurants and farm-based craft beverage facilities that are 800 square feet or smaller can receive a one-time grant of $2,700. A larger facility can receive $5,400. Applications for the grant will be accepted through 10 a.m. on Friday, October 9. Restaurants can apply at FrederickCountyMD.gov/FiredUpGrants or FrederickCountyMD.gov/OutdoorDining.
In addition to the new initiatives, Executive Gardner issued an Executive Order to increase indoor dining capacity to 75% at restaurants only, effective at 5 p.m. today. The change does not affect bars, wedding venues, event venues, social clubs, fire halls, or the bar areas of restaurants, all of which remain limited to 50% capacity. Tables must continue to be placed at least 6 feet apart, masks must be worn by guests when they are not eating and by servers, and strict cleaning requirements must be followed, as required under the Governor’s Executive Order. Because of these restrictions, few establishments will be able to expand to the full 75% capacity.