95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Kent County providing some relief to food establishments hard-hit by COVID-19 restrictions

Kent County seal
Kent County

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.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.