STATEHOUSE (May 7, 2021) – Legislation supporting jobs, employers and economic recovery by investing $60 million to expand the Hoosier Hospitality Small Business Restart Grant Program is now law, according to area lawmakers.
"As an owner of a small business, I can relate to the hardships many local employers faced this past year," said State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury). "Most are certainly ready to get back to normal operations, but need additional support. These grants will go directly to Hoosier small businesses and help boost our economy and restore our community."
King said many businesses across the state were negatively impacted by the pandemic, especially those in the tourism and hospitality industry, with the National Restaurant Association reporting Indiana restaurant sales dropping 37% from August 2019 to 2020. She said this new law provides eligible small businesses a grant to cover a portion of business and payroll-related expenses.
Under the new law, eligible recipients include those whose revenue is $10 million a year or less, and those with fewer than 100 employees as of Dec. 1, 2019, and they must show average monthly gross revenue loss of at least 30%. Grants cannot be more than $50,000 to any individual business.
"These grants will provide some relief to local entrepreneurs and employers working to keep their doors open," said State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart). "While Hoosiers have stepped up to the plate to support them, this additional assistance can go a long way in giving small business owners some breathing room and ensure they can keep operating."
Miller said this grant program is an extension of the already existing Small Business Restart Program and will continue to be administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. Originally the program was started with federal COVID-19 relief dollars.
"Our state is seeing record economic growth after the pandemic hit businesses hard," said State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola). "This money will be used to help our local businesses recover more quickly."
If necessary, House Enrolled Act 1004 allows the IEDC to submit adjusted criteria businesses must meet to qualify for a grant, which the State Budget Committee must approve. For more information about the grant program, visit the IEDC's website at iedc.in.gov and click on the orange "COVID-19 Updates & Resources" banner at the top of the web page.
To stay up-to-date on new laws recently signed by the governor, visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/2021-bill-watch/.
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State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) represents House District 49, which includes the eastern portion of Elkhart County.
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State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) represents House District 48, which includes portions of Elkhart County.
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State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola) represents House District 21, which includes portions of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.
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