CONGRESSMAN MORELLE TAKES ACTION TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RELIEF FOR LOCAL RESTAURANTS IMPACTED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC

(Rochester, NY) — Today, Congressman Joe Morelle stood alongside local restaurant owners to call for the replenishment of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The program was created by Congress to provide financial support to restaurants struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 “The restaurant industry has been devastated by the pandemic, and there is a critical need for additional relief,” said Rep. Morelle. “Small businesses like restaurants are cornerstones of our local economy, and they need our help. I’m calling for immediate action to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and I will continue advocating for solutions to help restaurants get through these challenging times.” 

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund was initially granted $28.66 billion in funding through the American Rescue Plan, which was enacted in March 2021. However, as the pandemic continues, it is clear more funding is needed—which is why Rep. Morelle has called for an additional $60 billion to be added to the fund. 

"With restaurants as one of the industries most damaged by the pandemic, seeing losses exceeding 75% of income in 2020, it is important for Congress to consider again funding the RRF,” said Chuck Cerankosky, co-owner of Restaurant Good Luck. Being one of the business sectors that faced the dangers of COVID head-on, as well as having to have made immense sacrifices in revenue as a service to public health, restaurants deserve relief to replace the business they've lost. The pandemic affected all restaurants; the RRF needs the funding it is due, as well as fair distribution of funds, and transparency as to who gets funded and if not, why."

"The NYSRA fully supports re-funding the RRF. Restaurants are the cornerstone of neighborhood resiliency and growth, and are often the first indicator in the success of a neighborhood,” said Kelly Metras, owner of Salena’s and a representative to the New York State Restaurant Association. The RRF has been vital in keeping many of these integral businesses open during the pandemic, with 2021 being the worst year on record for industry sales. As the pandemic ebbs and flows, so does the health of the industry. We depend on people in face to face interaction, which is not always available in times like these. The RRF allows restaurants to maintain employment of our neighbors and community, regardless of the state of the pandemic, and will assure that the brick and mortar health of neighborhoods continues to improve."

Since the passage of the American Rescue Plan, Congressman Morelle has supported a variety of additional efforts to provide relief to small businesses and local restaurants, including:  

• H.R. 793, the RESTAURANTS Act, the initial legislation that led to the creation of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund as a part of the American Rescue Plan;  
• H.R. 3807, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act, to add an additional $60 billion in funding to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund in response to the on-going need resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; 
• Multiple letters to Congressional leadership and President Biden urging the swift replenishment of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund as part of the Build Back Better legislative passage or another targeted relief package.