Small Business Relief Fund for Restaurants Opens This Week, No Thanks to the GOP

(MADISON) — Despite Congressional Republicans’ best efforts to block the bill, the American Rescue Plan’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund opened up yesterday, allowing small businesses across Wisconsin the opportunity to apply for assistance. Every single Republican voted against the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, including Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher.

Small businesses and restaurants make Wisconsin great, but so many of them are struggling as a result of the pandemic, and a return to normalcy won’t be enough to keep them afloat. Restaurant sales were down 30% in Wisconsin last year.

The ARP’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund will have a huge impact on Wisconsin’s economy – before the passage of the ARP, 14% of restaurants said they would most likely close without federal aid. The Wisconsin restaurant industry employs approximately 284,600 people, representing 9% of all employment in the state.

Restaurants and other eligible businesses can apply for aid through the Small Business Administration People: Kayla Anderson, Mike Gallagher