Lawson announces opening of relief grant program
Photo by St. Clair Murraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Al Lawson has announced that the Small Business Administration began accepting applications last Monday for its $28.6 billion restaurant relief program to help local restaurants, bars and other qualifying businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund was part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which Rep. Lawson worked to pass. Business owners can use the funding to assist with payroll, rent/mortgage, utilities, maintenance, protective equipment, food and beverage expenses, and more.
“Help is here for our North Florida restaurateurs whose local businesses have served as staples within our communities,” Lawson said. “Like many other businesses, the restaurant industry has been dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than one in six restaurants have permanently closed and millions of Americans are out of work. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides funding to help businesses keep their doors open and employees on payroll.”
The program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
Priority in the first 21 days will be given to small businesses owned by women, veterans, or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Eligible Grant Recipients include restaurants, food stands, trucks, or carts; caterers; bars or lounges;
saloons, inns, or taverns; brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms, or other licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products; and similar businesses where patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink.
Restaurant owners can visit www.SBA.gov/restaurants to register for the SBA application portal, review program guidance, collect proper documentation and view a sample application.
