GRA Weekly | June 20, 2021

GRA Weekly

June 20, 2021

LATEST RRF UPDATE

Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Replenishment Bill Formally Introduced – No Commitment on Timing

As we noted last week, the RRF Replenishment Act has been introduced in the House and Senate. The measure would provide an additional $60 billion for the RRF – enough to process the existing applications in the SBA queue.

We need Republicans and Democrats alike to co-sponsor this bill, which will send a signal to Congressional leaders that this bill needs prompt action. If you haven’t contacted your representatives in Congress, please take 30 seconds to ADD YOUR VOICE.

Courts Force Small Business Administration to Rescind 2,965 RRF Awards – National Restaurant Association Presses for a Solution

Due to court challenges of the “priority period” of the RRF, the SBA announced they have no choice but to rescind the awards of 2,965 RRF grants to operators who had received an acceptance letter. Many of these restaurant owners are obviously angry, frustrated, and fearful for the survival of their business.

On Thursday, our partners at the National Restaurant Association submitted a letter to the Administrator of the SBA, praising the strong execution of the RRF program and urging them to find a creative solution using excess funds in other SBA accounts to fulfill the government promise made to these 2,965 operators. The issues have been discussed with top leaders at the SBA, and they share our focus on resolving this both for the affected operators and the industry as a whole.

UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD

Unemployment Fraud Information

Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud is a crime that affects everyone. The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) needs your help preventing UI fraud and abuse. Your participation strengthens GDOL efforts to ensure Georgia employers' tax dollars are spent wisely and UI benefits only go to eligible individuals. GDOL offers several options to report suspected cases of unemployment benefit fraud, identity theft, job refusals and failed pre-employment drug screening tests. The preferred method to submit your report of suspected UI fraud and abuse is through our Online Reporting system. All tips received are investigated regardless of how much information is provided. However, the more details you can provide, the more you will aid in the investigation.

To learn more, click here.

To report claims of fraud or abuse, click here.

RRF BUDGET TRACKING TOOL

RRF Budget Tracking Tool

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.

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.

SUMMER SAFETY

Summer Safety Tips To Stay Protected

Intense Georgia summers make us want to stay indoors with ice-cold air conditioning and refreshing beverages. However, working outside in hot weather is necessary, which increases potential dangers from heat-related disorders. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash can sneak up on you, so knowing how to prevent them is imperative to working safely in the heat.

Here are some helpful tips to protect yourself and your employees from heat-related disorders...Read More.

COBB FOODIE WEEK

Join in the fun of #CobbFoodieWeek by offering a sweet meal deal, redeemable September 11-18, 2021! This could be a discount, coupon, giveaway or a prix fixe menu option. All restaurants within Cobb County limits are eligible to participate at no cost, but are required to submit a meal deal to be included in Cobb Foodie Week promotions including online articles, chef highlight videos, targeted e-blasts, social media advertising, and influencer marketing. The sooner you submit your deal, the sooner we can begin promoting your restaurant’s participation in Cobb Foodie Week! Learn more at www.cobbfoodieweek.com.

TARIFF WAR SUSPENDED

US, UK and EU Suspend Tariff War on Food & Beverage Products

This week, the Biden Administration announced new agreements between the US, UK, and the EU to suspend the tariff war that had increased the cost of imported food and beverages for restaurants and customers. Our partners at the National Restaurant Association have been engaged on this issue for two years now, and the news could not come at a better time as restaurants restock for the summer. Many of you joined in the grassroots call to the U.S. Trade Representative to resolve this – thank you for sharing the impact these tariffs had on your businesses.