Mahoning Valley - Over $28-billion dollars is available to the restaurant industry through the American Rescue Plan called the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Local Restaurants need to apply to get their hands on these much-needed funds. 

"This is a lifeline for you," Ohio Restaurant Association President & Ceo John Barker said, "If you don't take advantage of these things, you're going run at a huge disadvantage versus other businesses that weren't hurting."

The Ohio Restaurant Association said the grant could provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss of up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per location.

Ohio Restaurant Association said it's vital for restaurants to register online this week and be prepared to apply Monday for the grants. 

"It's gonna run out," Barker said,  "The money will run out. There is $28.6 billion sets aside for this, which sounds like a lot of money, but this industry lost $270 billion dollars total."

Barker said it's essentially first-come-first-serve aiming to initially target those who need it most.

He said the grants can be used for necessities like payroll, rent, mortgage, food, utilities, and paid sick leave and will not need to be paid back.

Donavitos in Struthers said they're beyond hope for the funds.

"When you talk about the cost of goods and the labor cost... and everything that's been going on for the past 12 to 16 months... It's out of control and every little bit would help," General Manager and Executive Chef BG Sulka said.

 The Ohio Restuarant Association urges local restaurants in need of relief to follow the links below:

Barker said the official application will open Monday, May 3 at noon eastern time.