Restaurant Revitalization Fund Registration Opens

Friday, April 30, 2021 at 6 a.m. (PST)

Earlier this week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announcedthey will begin registration for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 6am (PST). Applications will be accepted onMonday, May 3, at 9am (PST) via the SBA application portal. Qualifying wineries and other alcohol beverage producers interested in applying for tax-free grants from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund must be registered before submitting an application.

For more information on the program and how to apply:

• Review the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program Guide
• Review the Sample Application
• View one of the recorded program webinars on the SBA YouTube Channel
• Review the SBA ppt

More About the Program:
The program, created under the American Rescue Plan Act, provides $28.6 billion in direct cash payments for winery tasting rooms, tap rooms, brew pubs, restaurants, bars, taverns, food trucks and caterers to offset financial losses sustained from the COVID pandemic. Based on earlier released criteria, priority will be given to businesses owned by women, veterans and socially and economically disadvantaged concerns during the initial 21-day rollout of the program.

Payments are based on the difference between gross receipts collected in 2020 and those collected in 2019 and then reduced based on the amount of any loans obtained through the Paycheck Protection Program. Wineries will be required to provide receipts proving that at least 33% of their sales in 2019 were derived from on-site sales.

The grants may be used to cover payroll, employee leave costs and normal operating expenses, including mortgage and rent, utilities, supplies, personal protection equipment and cleaning materials, facility expansion and outdoor construction and debts to suppliers. Wine Institute anticipates significant demand for the program and is actively working with Congress to authorize additional funds for the program.