Federal Resources

U.S. Travel released its final tally of the pandemic’s economic devastation on the travel industry: Travel’s economic output shrank a staggering 42% last year, from $2.6 trillion to $1.5 trillion, according to new end-of-year totals prepared by Tourism Economics. Travel-supported jobs fell by 5.6 million in 2020 (16.7 million to 11.1 million)—a whopping 65% of all American jobs lost to the economic fallout of the pandemic. Travel and tourism had supported employment for 11% of the U.S. workforce prior to the onset of COVID.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it will begin accepting Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) applications on April 8.
- There will be an online information session about this program on March 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, due to the American Rescue Plan Act, entities that apply for a PPP loan after December 27, 2020 can now also apply for the SOVG.
The American Rescue Plan included a Restaurant Revitalization Fund– a $28.6 billion grant program for food service and drinking establishments – including caterers, brewpubs, taprooms and tasting rooms.
- Find an overview here. The grant will be administered by the SBA and the partners are providing opportunities to learn about this grant program.
ORLA partnered with the National Restaurant Association on a webinar on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund on March 15.
View the recording by registering online.
The Independent Restaurant Alliance of Oregon is hosting roundtable conversations twice a week through early April to provide information on the Restaurant Revitalization Grant that is part of the American Rescue Plan
- Roundtables will be held on Tuesday March 30th and April 6 at noon EST and Wednesday March 24, March 31 and April 7 at 11am EST. They are also hosting the following two events this week:
  - March 23 Noon EST: Baker Tillya leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, will join IRC Members to provide an overview of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, discuss eligibility and outline steps restaurants can take to be prepared for applications. In addition, we will briefly discuss employee retention credits and how restaurant businesses can leverage the program going forward.
  - March 24, 2021 1pm EST: Join Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Chefs Gregory Gourdet and Tom Colicchio, and the Independent Restaurant Association of Oregon as we present a round table discussion on the state of the industry and federal legislation to help restaurants offset losses due to the COVID crisis.
The Good Food Media Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has partnered with the Independent Restaurant Coalition to measure the impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry via a 15-minute online survey. The survey is open until March 31.

Additional Resources:

CARES Act – US Travel provides resources around the federal economic relief package that is in response to COVID-19
USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep its customers, partners, and stakeholders continually updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America.
National Restaurant Employee Relief Fund – grants for up to $500 for qualifying business
America Outdoors – list of valuable resources for the outdoor industry
Outdoor Industry Association – resource hub for outdoor recreation industry
Adventure Travel Trade Association – adventure travel and trade resources
National Restaurant Association Education Foundations Restaurant Employee Relief Fund
USDA COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide – organizes funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and other federal resources that can help support rural America
USDA Rural Development COVID-19 Fact Sheet – a list of actions taken by USDA Rural Development to Help Rural Residents, Businesses, and Communities Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
Financial Strategies and Tactics for Adventure Travel Businesses During Economic Uncertainty