A group that represents restaurants in Texas is asking federal lawmakers to authorize more funding for a program that helped restaurants affected by COVID-19. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund provided money to help small restaurants replace lost revenue and keep employees on the payroll.
While some industries have recovered from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Restaurant Association CEO Dr. Emily Williams Knight said many restaurants are still struggling.
"Things were looking last fall," Williams Knight said, "but as we stand here today, I'm extremely worried about how many Texas restaurants - especially these small, independent restaurants - can survive year three of this roller coaster without help."
She's calling on Congress to authorize additional grants from the program.
"Replenish RRF so every deserving small business has a chance to survive this pandemic and to keep their members on payroll," she said.
New data shows 96 percent of the restaurants that received a grant from the program stayed in business. The Texas Restaurant Association says the program has saved 68,000 jobs in the state.
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