STATEHOUSE (May 10, 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 State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown).
"While Indiana's economy is well on the way to recovery, there are still many local businesses not yet back to full capacity," Rowray said. "These grants can go a long way to protect jobs, stabilize budgets and help employers remain open after the hard year they faced."
Rowray 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 percent from August 2019 to 2020. This legislation will provide eligible small businesses a grant to cover a portion of business and payroll-related expenses.
Eligible recipients include those whose revenue is $10 million a year or less, those with fewer than 100 employees as of Dec. 31, 2019, and they must show average monthly gross revenue loss of at least 30%. Grants will not be more than $50,000 for any individual business. Eligible small businesses may apply until Dec. 31, 2021, but are encouraged to apply and submit expenses for reimbursement as soon as possible, as grants will be issued in the order they are received until funding is exhausted. For more information about the grant program, visit backontrack.in.gov.
Rowray said this grant program, which she voted in support of, is an extension of the already existing Small Business Restart Program and continues to be administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. Originally the program was started with federal COVID-19 relief dollars.
House Enrolled Act 1004 is now in effect. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) represents House District 35,which includes portions of Delaware and Madison counties.
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