March 17, 2021 | 12:03PM
$28.6 Billion Available as Part of Restaurants Act
Info in: Spanish | Arabic | Korean
The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund, authorized by the March stimulus bill, will soon start taking applications for grants for restaurants, bars, and other similar places of business that serve food or drink. The purpose of this funding is to provide support to eligible entities that suffered revenue losses related 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. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023. Additionally, $5 billion of that total will be set aside expressly for businesses with 2019 gross receipts of less than $500,000.
Eligible entities 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
SBA will prioritize providing grants to small businesses owned and operated by women, veterans, and/or socially or economically disadvantaged individuals for the first 21 days. Funds will be available until expended, so it's important to gather your paperwork now and be ready once the grant portal opens.
For more information visit the SBA RRF website | Program Guide | Sample version of application.
Info in: Spanish | Arabic | Korean
April 19, 2021 | 02:08PM
As Fairfax County business (businesses) and nonprofits continue their recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Department of Economic Initiatives and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority contracted with HR&A Advisors to create a roadmap to recovery. This road map, or Economic Framework, provides an in-depth look at the pre-pandemic economy, the economic impact of COVID-19 and gives recommendations to support a full and robust recovery as well as strengthen the resilience of businesses and nonprofits to withstand any “future shocks”.
The consultant came to their conclusions from analyzing key economic indicators, holding virtual roundtables with business and nonprofit stakeholders, and by reviewing responses to online questionnaires that surfaced specific impacts of the pandemic and detailed perceived barriers to and strategies for recovery. This data was used to document and address pre-existing as well as new economic and social disparities, and to identify strategies to help Fairfax County build toward a new normal. The report has an 18-month timeline. The recommendations are broken down into “first moves” or immediate impact opportunities, which will begin within six months to address critical needs and challenges and immediately boost economic activity. Longer term strategic initiatives that will strengthen Fairfax businesses and workers’ economic resilience to follow. Many of these strategic initiatives may continue beyond this 18-month recovery.
The plan recommendations are categorized into: Business Recovery and Resilience; Regulatory Action; Workforce Talent and Support; Physical & Community Planning and Support for Workers and Families, making it easy to clarify the needs, responses and roles and responsibilities for the work.
"Fairfax County has taken a leadership role in creating a road map to recovery. Our, goal is to not only recover what was lost, but create a new and more resilient foundation so all of Fairfax can benefit from a stronger and more resilient economy.”
Rebecca Moudry, Director
Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives
Implementation of the plan has begun with principal agencies within the county being selected to lead the identified initiatives. The Board of Supervisors has also engaged with the plan and established its priorities within each category. Next the agencies will locate and partner with community organization and businesses to begin execution. As each recommendation moves forward, reports to the Board of Supervisors and the public will be provided. Detailed descriptions for each action, including the existing county response, description, funding sources, potential partners, and metrics relevant for each suggested recommendation are included in the full report that is available online.
As the Economic Framework, like the pandemic, is dynamic, periodic reports and updates will be provided. Also new initiatives, tied to the report, will be highlighted by the Department of Economic Initiatives as they are introduced.
March 24, 2021 | 04:06PM
The Intersection of Innovation and Safety Will Save Lives!
Fairfax County is partnering with Smart City Works and Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) on the Pitch and Pilot: Fairfax County Innovation Challenge, a competition where teams and companies propose high-impact solutions to address bicycle and pedestrian safety. The goal of the Challenge is to find, and ultimately pilot, innovative solutions to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in Fairfax County’s increasingly multimodal transportation landscape. Registration is now open, and the competition will conclude with a public pitch contest on April 21st .
The Challenge is open to all participants who are passionate and focused on improving bicycle and pedestrian safety in Northern Virginia (NOVA) and the greater DC metropolitan region. All teams—from college students and start-ups to entrepreneurs and technologists, are welcome to apply. We are particularly interested in and encouraging women- and minority-led technology teams/ ventures to apply.
The winning team will have an opportunity to pilot their solution in Fairfax County, Virginia’s largest county.
This competition dovetails with Fairfax County’s Active Transportation Program which aims to improve quality of life and reduce reliance on single-occupant vehicles through development of a connected multi-modal transportation system with sidewalks, trails and on-road bicycle routes. Innovative solutions, like those from the Challenge, will help further Fairfax County’s goals.
To learn more about the Challenge and to register, visit: https://www.smartcityworks.org/fairfax-innovation-challenge/
