Outdoor Dining Incentive
In an effort to support Memphis Medical District Restaurants as they re-open and in furtherance of its charitable purposes, MMDC is launching the Outdoor Dining Incentive. Neighborhood restaurants in the Medical District are critical to the vibrancy, quality life, and economic welfare of the District. The Outdoor Dining Incentive aims to connect restaurants in the Medical District with the resources necessary to create and or expand outdoor seating that can be used to safely service customers at this time.
In accordance with Mayor Jim Strickland’s Back to Business Plan issued Monday, April 27, 2020, non-essential businesses within Memphis and Shelby County were permitted to re-open beginning Monday, May 4, 2020, so long as they adhere to and implement the COVID-19 Compliant Protocol as mandated by the City of Memphis. As a means to support our local restaurants, the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) and the City of Memphis prepared an outdoor dining policy to allow for the temporary use of public space for commercial restaurant seating. The full guidelines are located here.
This policy is intended to be in effect until December 31, 2020 and is needed to provide vital support to businesses that have experienced a drastic decline in customers and income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy details and a permit application are located at https://downtownmemphis.com/dine-out-downtown-temporary-outdoor-dining-policy/.
The Memphis Medical District Collaborative Outdoor Dining Incentive will facilitate the purchase of outdoor furniture, cooling & heating devices, PPE and cleaning supplies that will be used to expand seating capacity and make social distancing easier for district restaurants.
Medical District restaurants can apply for these items as long as the application is open; awards will be made on a rolling basis. Approval is at the sole discretion of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. There are limited funds for this incentive.
ELIGIBILITY
● Business must be a restaurant located within the Memphis Medical District boundaries (Medical District Boundary MAP) https://www.mdcollaborative.org/neighborhoods
● Business must have applied for and received a response for a Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/dineoutdtmem (documentation on this process and or permit must be shared with MMDC)
● Business must provide details, photos and description of the outdoor dining area in the application prior to any award and after items are received and installed (if an award is approved).
● The maximum possible award value is $5,000. One restaurant may request items with maximum total value of $5,000.
APPLICATION
Before you apply, click here to download full grant fund description and details including process, timeline, eligibility, terms, etc.
Applicants will be required to upload supporting documents into the application webform.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Vonesha Mitchell at vmitchell@mdcollaborative.org