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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) announced that El Paso restaurant owners will be able to apply for direct relief through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund beginning Monday, May 3, at 10:00 a.m. MT. Applicants can register on the U.S. Small Business Administration application portal beginning today, Friday, April 30.

“Small businesses and restaurants are the backbone of our economy, and ensuring they are able to keep their doors open to serve our community is an utmost priority for me,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “My colleagues and I fought to guarantee funding for restaurant owners as part of the American Rescue Plan Act and I encourage all El Paso restaurants and related businesses to apply for this critical relief.” 

"The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is one more critical lifeline to El Paso restaurants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Leo A. Duran, Sr., owner of L&J Café and Vice President of the Texas Restaurant Association. "It's vital that restaurants apply immediately to access the funds needed to stay open, retain employees, follow safety protocols, and continue serving customers. We appreciate all efforts by Congresswoman Escobar, her colleagues in Congress, and restaurant associations in working together to help our restaurant industry."

The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created by the American Rescue Plan Act that Congresswoman Escobar helped pass in March, 2021. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund will provide restaurants and other eligible businesses with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss, up to $10 million per business. The relief does not have to be repaid, provided that the funds are put toward eligible uses by March 11, 2023. 

Relief through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund is available for:

• 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.

A funding guide can be found here, and a sample application here. For more information, please visit www.sba.gov/restaurants. 

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