Voicing deep concerns over recent court rulings that are preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration from providing critical grants from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, the Whitmer Administration has dispatched a letter to the SBA calling for action to help support women, veteran, and minority-owned Michigan restaurants, and advocating for additional resources to help those small businesses immediately.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist sent their letter to the Small Business Administration today, saying, “Small businesses have been incredibly resilient throughout the pandemic, and it is critical that they can rely upon the aid promised to them to stay above water and support their hard-working employees,” adding, “As we emerge from the pandemic, Lt. Governor Gilchrist and I are laser-focused on supporting small businesses and creating good-paying jobs and bigger paychecks for Michigan workers. My top priority is ensuring every community in Michigan is a part of our economic jumpstart so that we can build back even stronger than before.”
Lt. Governor Gilchrist says, “Restaurants owned by women, veterans and people of color were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic,” and notes, “These small businesses are cornerstones of their communities, supporting thousands of jobs and families across the state. We must do all we can to support these small businesses as we rebuild our economy, and it is crucial that the SBA provides resources to help these restaurants recover faster and stronger.”
Matt Buskard, owner of Bobcat Bonnie’s Restaurant with five locations in Michigan, says, “This past year has been very tough on all of us, especially small business owners who have been working day and night to build back from the pandemic,” and adds, “That’s why we were excited when the U.S. Small Business Administration approved our application for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to help us hire and catch up on bills, and it’s devastating to have it taken away on such short notice. We hope the relief that was promised to our small business will come through.”
Due to court rulings in Texas and Tennessee, the SBA halted relief to support women, veteran, and minority-owned restaurants across the nation.
To view the Whitmer administration letter, click this link: SBA-Letter
