During National Small Business Week, Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), member of the House Education and Labor Committee, announced the Small Business Administration (SBA) has reported over $109 million in grants to restaurants, bars and entertainment venues in Michigan's Ninth District. Representative Levin voted to provide this funding through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), parts of President Biden's American Rescue Plan designed to help keep business doors open and workers on the payroll.
"As a former small business owner and employer myself, I understand many of the frustrations during this period of economic instability. Businesses and employees are hurting simply because of the responsible steps they are taking to reduce the spread of the virus," said Rep. Levin. "That's why I have partnered with small businesses throughout of the pandemic to push for relief and voted for the American Rescue Plan. To date, 408 restaurants and 14 venues in my district have been awarded RRF and SVOG funds respectively. I'm pleased to see the dollars I rallied for in Washington are hitting the ground in the Ninth District, making a real impact for families in Macomb and Oakland Counties and keeping these important places in our community whole as we build back better."
Over $95 million in relief funds were provided to Ninth District businesses through the RRF, allowing restaurants and bars to claim funding according to their pandemic-related losses up to $10 million per business. Over $14 millioncame to Ninth District businesses through the SVOG, providing theaters, museums and performance businesses with up to 45 percent of their 2019 gross revenue, with a maximum of $10 million.
Funding from both programs can be used to pay for essential expenses like payroll, rent, and utilities, as well as purchases of personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies.
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-announces-mi-09-restaurants-and-venues-receive-over-109-million-american
