New York Opens Applications For Restaurant Revitalization Program

Press release from Manhattan Community Board 5:

July 29 2020

RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM (RRP)

The Restaurant Revitalization Program (RRP) is a short-term program for a select number of restaurants to support unemployed or underemployed restaurant workers impacted by COVID-19 and their employers. Restaurants participating in the RRP program will be eligible for grants of up to $30,000, which will be used to pay wages of $20 per hour to retained or newly hired workers for 6-12 weeks.

RRP will select restaurants committed to:

1) “high road” employer practices that promote livable wages; greater race and gender equity in recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, and evaluation and other worker-friendly conditions;
2) Making their meals accessible to vulnerable community members, including those who are food insecure, essential workers, or others who are facing challenges in a time of need.
RRP is also partnering with One Fair Wage (OFW) – a nationally recognized advocacy organization working to raise the standards and equity across the restaurant industry – which launched its High Road Kitchens program in New York City, making $1 million available to support local restaurants with funding of up to $35,000 per restaurant for restaurants who apply to both initiatives.

The City and OFW expect to support a total of 100 restaurants (~70 supported by the City), and plan to prioritize restaurants in the City’s RIE target neighborhoods.

Eligibility – to be eligible restaurants must:
· Commit to pay all employees at least the non-tipped minimum wage ($15/hour with tips on top) within five years of your restaurant returning to regular practices.
· Agree to serve at least 500 free meals to community members affected by COVID-19, including those who are food insecure, essential workers, or others facing challenges.

How it works (detailed overview)
· Restaurants awarded up to a maximum of $30,000 to pay the wages of five or more workers.
· Restaurants pay wages upfront and submit records for HRA and HRA reimburses the restaurant for wages of $20 per hour plus up to 25% of the required fringe benefits.
· Workers in the program prepare regular meals plus free meals for community members affected by COVID-19.

Application process & timeline
· The application is available on the mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity’s website via www.nyc.gov/opportunity or through this direct link. Deadline is 7/31/2020.

This press release was produced by Manhattan Community Board 5. The views expressed here are the author’s own.