Downtown Tucson businesses will get a helping hand through two grants to meet the challenges of operating in a COVID-19 pandemic environment.

Pima County and the Downtown Tucson Partnership have created the Downtown Rebound Grant and Downtown Outdoor Café grant programs for the downtown Business Improvement District, according to a press release from Pima County.

The grant programs become part of Pima County’s Back to Business initiative. Businesses get help in making physical and operational changes in response to the pandemic. The county hopes to use its work as a model for all other areas of the county.

“We’re happy we can offer support to downtown businesses. The grants will help businesses make the changes necessary and stay afloat through this challenging time,” Kathleen Eriksen, president and CEO of the Downtown Tucson Partnership, said in the Pima County press release. 

Restaurants can get grants of up to $5,000 to help them build, enhance or expand outdoor café areas. The grants will reimburse them for furnishings, higher quality barriers and amenities for outdoor seating. These can include design or architectural fees, platform railings, barriers or temporary fencing, tables, chairs or umbrellas, landscaping, misters and outdoor speakers.

Businesses awarded a Downtown Rebound Grant will be reimbursed up to $2,000 for expenses needed to safely reopen under state, county and/or Centers for Disease Control guidelines, according to the press release. Reimbursements can cover personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting supplies, interior renovations needed to meet social distancing requirements, exterior property improvements and marketing.