WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan cosponsored bipartisan legislation to provide an additional $60 billion in revitalization funds to support independent restaurants and small franchises in New Hampshire and across the country as the industry continues to deal with long-term challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The bipartisan Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act of 2021 would allow restaurant owners to apply for grants to help cover eligible expenses, including payroll, rent, utilities, and even food.

“New Hampshire is home to incredible restaurants that are essential to our state’s economic vitality. However, over the last 18 months, these establishments have faced unprecedented challenges that have cut deeply into their bottom line,” Senator Hassan said. “The bipartisan RESTAURANTS Act would help Granite State restaurants get back on their feet by providing funding to help these businesses with essential expenses, and I will keep working to support businesses as our economy recovers from this pandemic.”

Hassan is working across the aisle to support businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan, which President Biden signed into law earlier this year, includes the bipartisan Recovery Startup Assistance Act that Senator Hassan introduced to provide payroll assistance through the Employee Retention Tax Credit to new small businesses started during the pandemic. The December COVID-19 relief and government funding package also included bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Hassan to allow eligible small employers to both participate in the Paycheck Protection Program and claim the Employee Retention Tax Credit to help keep workers on payroll and pay for their health care coverage. Senator Hassan was also recently recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for her efforts to promote and support New Hampshire’s businesses.

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