The aid will cost the city about $696,120 in utility collections for water, sewer and garbage, $306,000 for alcohol license renewal rebates and $137,445 for food inspection fees.
In all, the program is estimated to cost the city about $1.1 million, or about $2,500 per establishment on average.
Chad Klimek, who owns The Windbreak bar and music venue in south Fargo and is a co-owner of Southtown Pourhouse, said the city’s help was sorely needed and is welcome.
“It’s great news. It’s a huge help for everybody. That’s a significant savings,” Klimek said. It’s been hard keeping his businesses going through the pandemic. It’s even harder when you can’t have live music. … The Windbreak has seen a dramatic loss in sales.