Congress on June 10 introduced legislation to add another $60 billion in a second round of relief to Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
Called the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act of 2021, the new bill amends the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to increase appropriations to the original Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and for other purposes.
The restaurant relief program is administered by the Small Business Administration, which closed its application portal for the original $28.6 billion program on May 24, only three weeks after opening.
Nation’s Restaurant News noted that funds distributed to restaurants in the RRF’s first round were prioritized for women, veterans, and economically and socially disadvantaged groups, during its first 21 days. This was later challenged in court, as this policy depleted most of the funds.
The $60 billion replenishment round more than doubles the original’s allocation.
The National Automatic Merchandising Association is advocating for vending, micro market and workplace foodservice operators to have access to funding in replenishment program.
