New funding available for restaurants, businesses weathering pandemic

Brooklyn Dance, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·2 min read

Apr. 30—Small businesses have another opportunity to apply for COVID-19 relief money.

Established by the American Rescue Plan Act, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses stay open. A business could receive up to $10 million in funding equal to its its pandemic-related revenue loss with no more than $5 million per physical location.

Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as the money is used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023, according to the United States Small Business Administration's website.

Applications will open Monday. For details on how to apply, visit https://bit.ly/2QGQkPn.

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

Funds may be used for specific expenses, including:

* Business payroll costs (including sick leave)

* Payments on any business mortgage obligation

* Business rent payments (Note: this does not include prepayment of rent)

* Business debt service (both principal and interest; Note: this does not include any prepayment of principal or interest)

* Business utility payments

* Business maintenance expenses

* Construction of outdoor seating

* Business supplies (including protective equipment and cleaning materials)

* Business food and beverage expenses (including raw materials)

* Covered supplier costs

* Business operating expenses

Enhance Broomfield money

As of Tuesday, there is $233,000 in available funding for Broomfield businesses through Enhance Broomfield. Businesses are encouraged to apply for grants, including businesses that have already received one.

Up to $7,500 is available through Enhance Broomfield for eligible businesses, designed "to help your business sustain by meeting customer needs and market conditions during out collective response to the COVID-19 virus."

Businesses must be located in Broomfield and must have less than two full-time equivalent employees, of which one must be a non-related person and no more than 25 employees, the website states. Businesses may have up to three locations, one of which must be operating in Broomfield. Home-based businesses may be considered.

Enhance Broomfield award decisions will be made at least monthly, until funds are exhausted. The grants can be used with other program funds.

For additional information, visit Broomfield.org/EnhanceBroomfield.