The Kent County Board of Commissioners is providing relief to food establishments hard-hit by COVID-19 restrictions.
Brick and mortar, temporary or mobile, there are nearly 2,300 food establishments in Kent County. The pandemic has brought hardship to the industry with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issuing closures and seating capacity limits aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Recognizing the challenges over the past year, the Kent County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously waived the 2021 food service licensing and inspection fees.
Depending on licensure type and size of establishment, the annual fee varies from $155 to $580.
In a news release, the board of commissioners and Kent County Health Department say, “All restaurants are still required to submit a renewal application by April 30th, 2021,” adding, “If an establishment does not intend to renew its license, the application still should be returned but include a signed note requesting its license be cancelled.”
The Kent County Health Department is sending out renewal applications over the next two weeks.