Congressman Cleaver Announces $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund Open For Applications Today

(Washington, D.C.) – United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced the Restaurant Revitalization Fund will open for applications today at 11 a.m. CDT. The $28.6 billion program from the American Rescue Plan will make direct aid available to independent restaurants, bars, food trucks, caterers, and other hard-hit businesses in the food and drink industry that have experienced economic duress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Following one of the most difficult years in history for restaurants, I'm thrilled to finally say: Help is here," said Congressman Cleaver. "Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, mom-and-pop restaurants, local cafes, community caterers, and other food and drink establishments that were financially devastated by COVID-19 can now apply for relief through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. I was proud to support this desperately needed relief program, and I will continue fighting to ensure small businesses throughout Missouri have the support they need to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic."

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. The application portal for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund can be accessed here.

Entities eligible to apply include:

• Restaurants;
• Food stands, food trucks, food carts;
• Caterers;
• Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns;
• Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars;
• Bakeries (onsite sales to the public must comprise at least 33% of gross receipts);
• Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms (onsite sales to the public must comprise at least 33% of gross receipts);
• Breweries and/or microbreweries (onsite sales to the public must comprise at least 33% of gross receipts);
• Wineries and distilleries (onsite sales to the public must comprise at least 33% of gross receipts);
• Inns (onsite sales to the public must comprise at least 33% of gross receipts); and
• Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample or purchase products.

The Small Business Administration recommends applicants familiarize themselves with the application process in advance by:

• Reviewing the official guidance, including program guide and an application sample; and
• Preparing the required documentation.

You can find more information on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.