GRA Weekly

March 24, 2022

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

GA PROSTART® INVITATIONAL

Congratulations to all the teams that participated in the 2022 Georgia Restaurant Association Foundation ProStart® Invitational, sponsored by Coca-Cola, Shular Institute, Gas South, Thompson Hospitality, Levy Restaurants, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Corporate Events Unlimited, MLA, Kennesaw State University, and Johnson & Wales University - many thanks for your support in making this event a huge success!

Many thanks to our judges for their dedication in supporting this event -

Chef Daryl Shular (Shular Institute), Chef Eric Centeno (Exquisite Delites), Chef Charlie Hill, Chef Patrick Fischer (Paradies Lagardère), Chef Isaiah Loftlin (SweetWater Brewery), Chef Shirley Hughes (Sweet Cheats Bakery), Chef Billy Velasquez (Levy), Stephanie Fischer (Paradies Lagardère), Denis Byron (Retired), Sandra Centeno (Exquisite Delites), Chef Jamie Jenkins (Marlow's Tavern), and Polly Barrington (ACF Atlanta Chapter).

Huge congratulations to our winning teams -

Culinary Competition: 1st Place - Riverwood High School (pictured above on the left)
Management Competition: 1st Place - Maxwell High School (pictured above on the right)
Teacher of the Year - Elissa Oliver, Riverwood High School

Both teams received scholarships and prizes, and will advance to compete in the National ProStart® Invitational May 6-8 in Washington, D.C. Check out photos from the competition, and coverage from Fox 5 Atlanta.

STATE OF THE PLATE

What's next after Crossover? What bills are moving? Get this week's legislative update from President + CEO Karen Bremer

Bills discussed: HB 1443, HR 627, SR 131, and SR 428
Watch Now.

GRA IN THE NEWS

POTENTIAL CYBER ATTACKS

President Biden Warns US Businesses to be prepared for possible Russian cyber attacks

Statement by President Biden on our Nation’s Cybersecurity
FACT SHEET: Act Now to Protect Against Potential Cyberattacks
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency: SHIELDS UP Guidance for All Organizations

Any suspicious activity should be reported to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, or your local law enforcement.

SIPPIN' LOCAL | VOTE NOW

Sippin' Local Vote Now

InsiderAdvantage Georgia/JAMES Magazine announces the 3rd annual SIPPIN' LOCAL poll highlighting a growing Georgia industry. Everyone is invited to vote for their favorite breweries, distilleries and wineries located across the state. The top 10 vote getters in each category will be listed in the May/June issue of JAMES Magazine, and the number one company in each category will be spotlighted in a feature article. Make sure to come back every day to vote for your favorites and share the poll with your followers, friends and family! If you don't see your favorite on the list, choose the "other" option and write it in. We will add it to the ballot.

*In partnership with the Georgia Restaurant Association, Georgia Craft Brewers Guild, Hospitality Business Network Foundation, Foodie Road Trip, Georgia Grown, Atlanta Beer and Wine Festivals and Georgia Distillers Association.

PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS

The ABCs of PPP Loan Forgiveness

The deadline to apply for loan forgiveness on the second draw of the Paycheck Protection Program is coming up and applying is easier than ever. Join Association Director of Healthcare and Tax Policy Aaron Frazier for a webinar “Better to Ask for Forgiveness than Omission – PPP Second Draw” on March 29 at 2:00PM, to learn how to navigate the application process, what important information you'll need, and what happens if you miss the deadline. Register today.

FEDERAL UPDATES

ERTC: Most Frequently Asked Questions Answered

The Employee Retention Tax Credit, created in 2020 as a response to COVID-19, helps small businesses keep their staff members employed during uncertain times. Here are answers to the Association’s most frequently asked questions about the ERTC, including “Where is my refund?” Read the article.

Association, Others Support Employee Rights Act

The Association joined more than 25 other organizations yesterday in expressing support for the Employee Rights Act to Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who introduced the legislation that would modernize outdated federal labor and employment law.

Dangerous Anti-Arbitration Bill Passes House

The House, last Thursday passed the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act, which makes arbitration language in contracts unenforceable if the matter is concerning employment, consumer, antitrust or civil rights. Every Democrat supported it, and every Republican—other than Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)—voted against it. The Association worked to minimize the number of Republicans who joined Democrats in supporting the bill in the House and is working to prevent it from garnering sufficient votes to pass in the Senate. If the legislation becomes law, it will drastically impact restaurant operators’ ability to resolve matters through arbitration rather than costly lawsuits. Contact Association VP, Government Affairs Matt Walker for more information.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY

New Grant Opportunity for Historic Small Restaurants

If you’re an independent, small restaurant (1) that has been in business for more than 25 years, (2) that operates in historic buildings or neighborhoods, and (3) that has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, consider applying for a new grant opportunity from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. Grant applications and public nominations will be accepted until 11:59 PM ET on April 4, 2022.