Texas Border Business
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and Edinburg Economic Development Administration hosted a webinar on Thursday, April 29, 2021 to discuss the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) program.
The District Director of the Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office U.S. SBA, Angela Burton, presented the latest information regarding the program. The RRF was established under the American Rescue Plan on March 11, 2021. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund program will provide a total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and food establishments that have experienced economic distress and significant operational losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023.
The U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT and open applications on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.
For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. “It is important that our local restaurant owners are ready and informed about the application process. A good majority of our local business community will be eligible to participate in the 21 day priority program. ” said Ronnie Larralde, Executive Director at the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.
All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as the portal opens. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligible entities who have experienced pandemic-related revenue loss include:
Restaurants, food stands, food trucks, food carts, caterers.
Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns
Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars
Bakeries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
Breweries and/or microbreweries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
Wineries and distilleries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
Inns (onsite sales of food and beverage to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products.
The SBA recommends qualifying applicants familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application experience, specifically by:
- Registering for an account in advance at
- restaurants.sba.gov
- starting Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT.
- Reviewing the official guidance, including
- program guide, frequently asked questions, and application sample.
- Preparing the required documentation.
- Working with a point-of-sale vendor or
- visiting restaurants.sba.gov
- to submit an application when the application portal opens. [Note: If an applicant is working with a point-of-sale vendor, they do not need to register beforehand on the site.]
- Attending a live recorded virtual training
- webinar on sba.gov/restaurants
- or www.edinburg.com
