In an effort to help local bars and restaurants, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order asking the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to buy back certain alcohol from restaurants and bars with an on-premise liquor license.

The order, signed Monday, asks the MLCC to initiate a buy-back program for inventory bars or restaurants with an on-premise liquor license purchased before March 16, according to a news release. The MLCC would use its revolving fund to buy back the alcohol from the closed businesses. The program would provide some financial relief to the business heavily impacted by the shutdown.

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“Michigan’s 8,500 on-premises liquor licensees continue to make unprecedented sacrifices to help slow the spread of COVID-19 across our state,” Whitmer said in a news release. “This buy-back program will help our bars and restaurants critical to Michigan’s economy weather the storm through this challenging time in our history.

The program applies to "spirits," which under Michigan's liquor law is defined as distilled alcohol mixed with water or other substances, as well as wine with an alcohol content of more than 21%. Typically, alcoholic "spirits" refer to vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, mezcal, and brandy.

To be a part of the program, those with liquor licenses must make their request on the form on the MLCC website. The commission is expected to convene Tuesday to take official action.

There are more than 16,000 eating and drinking establishments in Michigan, employing more than 450,000 people and generating $17.9 billion in estimated sales, Emily Daunt, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, previously told the Free Press.

In a separate order Monday, Whitmer extended until May 1 an earlier order closing bars and restricting restaurants to carry out, and delivery service.

Free Press reporter Paul Egan contributed to this report.

Meredith Spelbring is a news intern with the Detroit Free Press. Reach her at mspelbring@freepress.com or on Twitter @mere0415.