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Biden signs COVID-19 stimulus package with $28.6 billion in restaurant relief into law

Stimulus checks are expected to start going out in the next few days, while the timeline on SBA grant applications for restaurants is unclear

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

March 11, 2021

1 Min Read
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Biden will be addressing the nation with more detail on how this package will help America Thursday night.Alex Wong / Staff /Getty Images News

President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan into law Thursday afternoon, which includes $1,400 stimulus checks for Americans with incomes under $75,000 (or $150,000 for households) and $28.6 billion in relief grants for small restaurants, but without the Democrat-backed $15 minimum wage. Stimulus checks are expected to begin rolling out over the next few days, while the timeline on when the Small Business Administration will begin accepting grant applications from restaurants is unclear.

The Senate’s changes from the original House bill include decreasing the unemployment benefits, as well as extending the deadline to Sept. 6. The bill also subsidizes 100% of COBRA insurance coverage for unemployed Americans, up from 85% that the House proposed.

The American Rescue Plan also includes the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which now will provide $28.6 billion in debt-free relief for small and mid-sized restaurants and is based on the original $109 billion RESTAURANTS Act passed by the House last year. As we reported yesterday, The Small Business Administration will likely open up the Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant applications “within weeks, not months” of being signed into law.

Biden is expected to address the country in his first Oval Office address Thursday night at 8 pm EST.

Related:President Biden adjusts PPP lending rules to better aid small businesses

Read more details on President Biden signing the American Rescue Plan into law on NRN.com here.

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

Find her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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