GRA Weekly

August 4, 2022

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, UnitedHealthcare.

SBA TO REDISTRIBUTE REMAINING $180M IN RRF FUNDS

SBA to Redistribute Remaining $180M in RRF Funds

The Small Business Administration (SBA) confirmed that they are working with the Justice Department on a plan to award the remainder of the Restaurant Revitalization Funds (RRF) that have gone undistributed for over a year. The announcement comes after the National Restaurant Association, along with the help of the Georgia Restaurant Association and other state associations, sent a letter to the SBA notifying them of a discovery made by the Government Accountability Office of more than $180 million left in the RRF. About 177,000 grant requests went unfilled, as hospitality business owners are still struggling with back rents, tax payments, lines of credit, and other financial obligations. Read more.

Statement from the National Restaurant Association: The SBA has confirmed with the Association that the federal agency is working with the U.S. Department of Justice to redistribute $180 million in Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) awards. It is unclear when – or how – the unobligated $180 million will be awarded, but we are optimistic the funds will eventually be delivered to some operators. We have offered the SBA a platform to provide an update on RRF redistribution, reopening the portal, and next steps for eligible businesses. As details develop, we will share with our SRA partners and members. While the remaining $180 million will only reach a fraction of the 177,000 operators who did not receive RRF, we will closely monitor the process moving forward.

Statement from the Small Business Administration: The SBA plans to award the remaining funds and is working closely with the Department of Justice to resolve evolving legal decisions involving RRF and formulate a plan on how to distribute any unobligated funds,” the SBA told Nation’s Restaurant News in an emailed statement. “The funding provided by the American Rescue Plan’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund has helped more than 100,000 restaurants and other food and beverage business owners get back on their feet and survive the pandemic, and the SBA remains committed to providing relief and assistance in any way possible.

We will continue to monitor this story as details develop.

SUPPORT + ENJOY BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK

Georgia Representatives Commemorate Black Restaurant Week

Earlier this year, the Georgia House of Representatives passed HR 692 that commemorates Black Restaurant Week. Black Restaurant Week is dedicated to celebrating the flavors of African American, African, and Caribbean cuisine nationwide. The 10-day event also seeks to educate consumers and foodies on the abundance of cultural cuisines in the local food scene.

This event goes from August 5-14 in Atlanta. Learn more.

GRA EXCLUSIVE WEBINARS

Labor Unions: What Restaurants Need to Know

Join the Georgia Restaurant Association and Pat J. Hill, head of the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group at Smith, Gambrell, & Russell, to discuss the recent wave of unionization in the food service industry, the legal responsibility of employers, and the role of unions in representing workers.

Dial-in or watch live via Zoom. We invite you to submit any questions you may have when you register and we'll be sure to address them live.

Wednesday, August 10 | 2:00PM | Register.

Restaurant Industry Update with GRA President + CEO

Please join us on Wednesday, August 17 at 2:00PM, for the Georgia Restaurant Association monthly restaurant industry update with GRA President + CEO Karen Bremer, CAE, presented by GRA Corporate Partner, Green Line Rates.

Dial-in or watch live via Zoom. We invite you to submit any questions you may have when you register and we'll be sure to address them live.

Wednesday, August 17 | 2:00PM | Register.

GRACE US WITH YOUR PRESENCE!

GRACE us with Your Presence!

Our 14th Annual GRACE Awards gala is an event you do not want to miss! Join us for an evening filled with amazing food, refreshing drinks and mingling with the industry's finest. Interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sarah Thorson.

September 27 | Georgia Aquarium

U.S. DOL TIME TRACKING APP

U.S. DOL | Just Tap the App! Wage & Hour Introduces Time Tracking App for iOS and Android

Employees and employers can keep accurate records of hours on the job. The DOL-Timesheet App helps track regular work hours, break time, and overtime hours. The new version of the app also enhances the comments capability, offers multiple pay frequency options, and additional pay calculations.

Features include:

Employer and employee options
Calculates pay automatically
Records work hours simply and quickly
Free for iOS and Android

Learn more and download the app here.

LOCAL GRANT PROGRAMS

City of Atlanta Announces $3.5M Grant Program

Earlier this week, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced a $3.5M grant program to support small businesses and property owners in Atlanta. Through the Commercial Property Improvement Grant program, small business owners are eligible to apply for grants of up to $50,000 for exterior and interior enhancements to their business.

This program is the second initiative that United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta have rolled out as a part of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, supported by Wells Fargo. Learn more.

Funds still available | City of Norcross, GA's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Small Business Grant Program

The program’s purpose is to offer financial assistance to small businesses located within Norcross city limits who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, stabilize, and sustain Norcross businesses, and ensure they are able to retain employees.

Grants may be used to pay:

Rent, lease or mortgage costs, Utility bills, Payroll, Business-related insurance, Inventory expenses including covering any loss of inventory, Other operating expenses

The grant application deadline is August 21, 2022 at 11:59PM. Learn more and Apply.

FEDERAL UPDATES

Credit card competition legislation introduced in Senate

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) introduced the Credit Card Competition Act of 2022, legislation that directs the Federal Reserve to ensure that giant credit card-issuing banks offer a choice of at least two networks over which an electronic credit transaction can be processed, thereby increasing competition.

This could help curtail outrageous swipe fees, saving restaurants and consumers billions each year. To garner more support for this legislation and ensure that the restaurant industry’s voice is represented among the diverse and broad-based support of the Credit Card Competition Act, the Association would like your company to consider signing onto a letter of support. Contact Association VP, Government Relations Matt Walker or Director of Technology & Innovation Policy Brennan Duckett and let them know if your company is willing to sign onto the letter by Friday, August 26.

What this means for restaurants: Processing credit card transactions is one of restaurants’ highest operating expenses, which the Association detailed to the Senate Committee this spring. Introduction of this legislation is a positive development, and the Association will continue working to advance this bill and introduce companion legislation in the House.

House committee passes somewhat-improved data privacy bill

In its markup and passing of the American Data Privacy & Protection Act (ADPPA), the House Energy & Commerce Committee incorporated some changes requested by the Association that benefit restaurants. Included: language that sufficiently protects customer loyalty programs and addresses service provider and 3rd-party obligations.

What this means for restaurants: Since the legislation still contains alarming provisions on preemption and private right of action, among others, the Association is not yet supporting the bill in its entirety and will continue to advocate for significant changes before it advances to the House floor for debate and a vote.

Senate small biz committee examines EIDL

Earlier this week, the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship examined the Small Business Administration’s implementation of the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The Association worked with committee staff to request and obtain more detailed information from the SBA on specific restaurant assistance under the program.

What this means for restaurants: Since Congress expanded SBA’s EIDL program when it passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March of 2020, it’s now conducting oversight of the program, reviewing how the agency addressed fraud, application delays, and other administrative practices.