GRA Weekly | June 13, 2021

GRA Weekly

June 13, 2021

This week's newsletter is brought to you by Coca-Cola.

LATEST RRF UPDATE

SBA Halts RRF Priority Program Due to Court Order

On Friday evening, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that due to a recent court case, they were forced to suspend payments to Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grant recipients who qualified under the “priority” designation of the RESTAURANTS Act.

Under a preliminary injunction issued by a federal court in Texas, the SBA must keep approving funds for non-priority applicants, but cannot distribute money to those designated as “priority” candidates until the case is settled. 2,965 approved applicants from the priority group that were awaiting the transfer of a RRF grant into their bank account will no longer be receiving those RRF funds.

Reuters published a story with more details, which can be found here.

Restaurant Recovery Fund Replenishment Legislation - Take Action Now!

GRA and our partners at the National Restaurant Association have been working with the sponsors of the RESTAURANTS Act on legislation that would replenish the RRF program. The sponsors are expected to soon introduce the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act, a bill to provide $60B in new money for the RRF program. Since the original funding was about $50B short of addressing the needs of all applicants, we know that continued relief grants are critical for an industry that remains incredibly vulnerable. Click below to tell your elected officials to replenish the RRF. Take Action.

RRF Budget Tracking Tool Updated

The easy-to-use RRF grant Budget Tracking Tool, created by our partners at the National Restaurant Association in-conjunction with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants was recently updated. The spreadsheet helps track expenses and facilitate the SBA’s annual validation process. The free resource is available for download here.

HANK CLARK LEADS THE GRA FOR THE SECOND TIME

Hank Clark Named Georgia Restaurant Association's Chairman of the Board

ATLANTA (June 7, 2021) - Hank Clark, vice president of operations at Marlow’s Tavern and the Woodall, was recently named chairman of the board of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA). Clark previously led as chairman of the board of GRA in 2013 and will help guide the valuable organization as it serves as a unified voice for Georgia’s restaurants in advocacy, awareness and education.

"After many months of dramatic changes to the restaurant industry, we are pleased to welcome Hank Clark as the new chairman of the Georgia Restaurant Association board of directors,” said GRA president & CEO Karen Bremer. “Hank is a seasoned restaurateur, and we look forward to Hank's leadership in a crucial time as we navigate the new future of restaurants in Georgia."

Clark is an enthusiastic leader who has worked in the restaurant industry for more than 30 years. He helped create Marlow's Tavern in 2004 and has since led the company’s growth. At Marlow’s Tavern, Clark supervises all day-to-day operations and helps position the company in additional markets. Clark drives the culture of the neighborhood tavern to make it a comfortable place for guests to relax with a great meal. In addition to serving as chairman of the board in 2013, Clark served on GRA’s executive committee for three years.

“I am excited to chair this great organization once again, for everything it represents,” says Clark. “Our mission in our own restaurants is to create a sense of belonging for guests where they can enjoy the people and food that they love. My vision for GRA is to continue to make a difference in Georgia’s restaurants and for those working in the more than 500,000 jobs that our restaurants provide. We want to create an environment where both our guests and employees thrive.”

Before Marlow’s Tavern and the Woodall, Clark worked for Brinker International in the Grady’s division and was promoted to general manager at the age of 23. He served as general manager at Darden Restaurants in the Bahama Breeze division, the regional director of operations/operating partner for Ocean Prime by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants and became the general manager of Aqua blue in 2002 where he met John C. Metz, the executive chef, co-founder and CEO of Marlow’s Tavern and the Woodall. Read the full press release.

PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS

What You Need to Know About PPP Loan Forgiveness

Both first- and second-round PPP loans qualify for full loan forgiveness during the 8- to 24-week covered period if:

Employee and compensation levels are maintained
Loan proceeds are spent on payroll costs and other eligible expenses
At least 60% of the proceeds are spent on payroll costs

Learn how to properly apply for PPP loan forgiveness and get answers to commonly asked questions here. You can also view our recent webinar.

GRA PAC FUNDRAISER

Please join us on the banks of the Chattahoochee River for Wind Down by the River, a special reception in support of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Political Action Committee and the GRA PAC*. Through your attendance and support, we are able to reach candidates who will advance a pro-restaurant pro-business legislative agenda, fight onerous legislation and address the issues that are most important to you.

Through your attendance and support, we are able to reach candidates who will advance a pro-restaurant pro-business legislative agenda, fight onerous legislation and address the issues that are most important to YOU.

Thursday, June 24 | 3:00PM - 5:00PM

UPDATED OSHA GUIDANCE

Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace

OSHA will update this guidance over time to reflect developments in science, best practices, and standards.

Guidance posted January 29, 2021; Summary of changes June 10, 2021

Focus protections on unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers
Encourage COVID-19 vaccination
Add links to guidance with the most up-to-date content

This guidance is intended to help employers and workers not covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to identify COVID-19 exposure risks to workers who are unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk, and to help them take appropriate steps to prevent exposure and infection.

Employers should engage with workers and their representatives to determine how to implement multi-layered interventions to protect unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk workers and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including:

Grant paid time off for employees to get vaccinated.
Instruct any workers who are infected, unvaccinated workers who have had close contact with someone who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and all workers with COVID-19 symptoms to stay home from work to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Implement physical distancing for unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers in all communal work areas.
Provide unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers with face coverings or surgical masks, unless their work task requires a respirator or other PPE.
Educate and train workers on your COVID-19 policies and procedures using accessible formats and in language they understand.
Suggest that unvaccinated customers, visitors, or guests wear face coverings.
Maintain Ventilation Systems.
Perform routine cleaning and disinfection.
Record and report COVID-19 infections and deaths.
Implement protections from retaliation and set up an anonymous process for workers to voice concerns about COVID-19-related hazards:
Follow other applicable mandatory OSHA standards, including all of OSHA's standards that apply to protecting workers from infection remain in place.

MANY THANKS!

On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, over 150 golfers, sponsors, volunteers and elected officials came together at Atlanta National Golf Club in Milton, GA to raise just over $97,000 for the GRA PAC. Participating golfers enjoyed exciting raffle prizes, a great variety of food and beverage donated by industry partners, and interactive contests along the course.

Your generous participation, donations, and time made the tournament a great success! Many thanks to our sponsors and restaurant partners for helping make this event happen: Presenting Sponsor - Coca-Cola, SpotOn, Tom’s Amusement, Society Insurance, Melissa Libby & Associates, Georgia Power, Moore Colson, Sysco, Gas South, Bennett Thrasher, UnitedHealthcare, US Foods, IRONWOOD, Peachtree Tents & Events, Chick-fil-A, TFH Legal, Tito’s Vodka, Char Korean Bar & Grill, Girl Diver, Fork U Concepts, Brewed to Serve Restaurant Group, Dave’s Cosmic Subs, Tropical Smoothie Café, Copeland’s of New Orleans, HM Plumbing, Milton Martin Honda, and Savannah Distributing.

Congratulations to the Top Scoring Teams

First Place: Gas South (Rob Kealler, Austin Broth, Jim Voyles, and Logan Elliot)
Second Place: The Silver Moon + Houck's Grille (Gregg Hawkins, Robert Falanga, Bill Houck, and Chuck Little)
Third Place: Sysco (Brian Harper, Chris Miliotis, Ryan Davis and Krist Biba)

MYVAXVERIFY

Returning to work & Vaccinations; How to make employees, guests, clients, and staff more comfortable, MyVAXVerify business solutions.

There is no doubt a wide range of feelings about safety in the workplace, going out to eat and trying to return to life without face coverings. Everyone in every industry is experiencing changes in the workplace. For many restaurateurs & business owners, it doesn’t seem to be prudent to go without masks while taking care of guests without a stepping stone to get there while waiting for more Americans get their COVID-19 vaccinations.

CDC recommends that unvaccinated individuals continue to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. Facial coverings are no longer required for fully vaccinated individuals. The EEOC states that employers can ask if an employee received the Covid-19 vaccine and can ask for vaccine verification to support their efforts to create a safe, comfortable environment for guests & employees alike. MyVAXVerify™ has introduced The COVID-19 Vaccination Identifier. A Trademarked silicone wristband to be worn as a symbol that a person has chosen to be vaccinated and would like to share that information with people in the workplace. To get more information about the program and to order, please visit MyVAXVerify.com

*Sponsored content provided by MyVaxVerify. Any products mentioned or business practices discussed are not an official endorsement or suggestion by the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA). The GRA strongly recommends that you consult with your trusted legal advisors before changing or implementing any new procedures regarding vaccination identifiers in your business.

SERVSAFE DINING COMMITMENT

Restaurants Show Customers They’re Committed to Safety

Restaurants across the country are making the ServSafe Dining Commitment, following the protocols required to qualify as part of the SSDC program, and more are signing up daily.

When customers see the ServSafe Dining Commitment logo on a restaurant website, menu, or door, they have the assurance that the restaurant has publicly declared its dedication not only to training staff in safe food handling, but also in establishing new guidelines for safe dining today.

Make the commitment.