LANSING (WWJ) -- Beginning today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer is encouraging Michigan restaurants, bars and other eateries who were greatly affected by COVID-19 to apply for $28.6 billion in federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund direct relief.
Provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the American Rescue Plan, the relief applies to: food stands, food trucks, food carts; caterers; bars, saloons, lounges, taverns; brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms; breweries, wineries and distilleries; and bakeries.
“Restaurant owners and other food establishments have made incredible sacrifices over the past year to keep their communities safe and slow the spread of COVID-19,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “This vital relief will help ensure they can keep their doors open and continue to serve their communities while also ensuring their workers can stay employed entering the critical summer season.”
The minimum funding awarded will be $1,000 with businesses that remain open eligible to receive funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location.
Additionally, the plan will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and operated by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in the first 21 days of the program.
Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis with the online application remaining open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.
Registration for the funding began on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 9 a.m. EST, with the application itself opening on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon.
More information on where to register for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund can be found on the SBA website.