Restaurant Assistance Program

Restaurant Assistance Program - Grant Funding for Local Restaurants

Application Period: September 4 - September 18, 2020
Grant Amount: Up to $3,000
Notification of Award and Grant Funds Distribution: October 2020
How to Apply: This grant program is now CLOSED

Downloadable W9 Form:

w9.pdf
File Size:	132 kb
File Type:	pdf

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How to complete your application training webinar:

About the Program

Restaurants in the City of Rocklin will soon be able to apply for grant funding to help offset the cost of unanticipated operating expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rocklin City Council approved the use of up to $200,000 of City federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds to support local restaurants and cover costs including, but not limited to, customer delivery services, special advertising and promotions, and the purchase of equipment or supplies (disposable menus, masks, gloves, outdoor seating, etc).
“Our local restaurants not only provide essential food service to residents and visitors, but vital employment and income to many members of the community,” Mayor Greg Janda said. “The CARES funding can be used to offset a small part of the costs of additional safety precautions and operating restrictions caused by the pandemic.”

Up to $3,000 will be awarded to Rocklin restaurants that successfully apply and meet basic criteria, including being locally owned and operated, have 30 or less employees, and have an active business license on March 1, 2020. More information on the criteria and application process will be released when finalized.

The Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce will administer the restaurant assistance program but all Rocklin restaurants that meet the program criteria are eligible to receive funding – Chamber membership is not a requirement.

“Small restaurants are part of the unique culture of Rocklin and it is imperative that we help them stay in business. This program provides much needed help,” said Robin Trimble, CEO of the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce.

The City anticipates it will receive $868,621 in CARES Act funds through the State of California. Although more than $2 million has been identified in eligible City expenses, City Council chose to use more than 20 percent of the funds to support local businesses.

Grant Criteria

Grants will be awarded to Rocklin restaurants[1] based upon the following criteria:
Eligibility:

For-profit, locally owned and operated restaurant
Up to 30 full-time equivalent employees (“FTE[2]”)
Applications from franchise restaurants will be accepted as long as the franchisee does not own more than 2 franchise businesses in Rocklin
Physical restaurant establishment within the City of Rocklin that offered dine-in service as of March 1, 2020 (non-profit organizations, commissaries, food banks, groceries, farmers markets, mobile vendors, vending machines, catering, home kitchens, etc. are not eligible)
Business must have a current City of Rocklin business license and have been in business on March 1, 2020
Demonstrate unanticipated operational expenses or purchases incurred due to COVID-19 in the periods from March 1 – June 30, 2020; July 1 – August 31, 2020; and September 1 – December 30, 2020.
- Eligible expenses may include, but are not necessarily limited to, costs of customer delivery services (i.e. Door Dash), special advertising and promotions, and the purchase of specialty equipment and supplies (i.e. disposable menus, masks, gloves, outdoor seating, etc.).
- Lost revenue or general expenses not related to COVID-19, such as rent, utilities, annual local, state and federal taxes or fees, are not eligible.
- Expenses covered by other government programs (i.e., Payroll Protection Program) are not eligible.
Businesses must be in good standing with the City of Rocklin as of February 1, 2020 (e.g., no liens or judgments, excessive code violations, etc.)

Prioritization of Grants:

Businesses 0-5 employees
Businesses 6-30 employees

[1] Pursuant to 21 CFR 1.328 [Title 21 -- Food and Drugs; Chapter I -- Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services], restaurant means “a facility that prepares and sells food directly to consumers for immediate consumption”.
[2] The abbreviation FTE is short for “full-time equivalent.” The City of Rocklin determines the total number of employees of a business on a FTE basis. A full-time employee is one who works 40 hours per week. For example, one employee who works 40 hours per week equals one FTE. To determine the FTE number for part-time employees, add the total number of hours worked in a week by all part-time employee, and then divide that number by 40. For example, if a business has four part-time employees who work a total of 10 hours per week, those employees equal one FTE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to be a member of the Rocklin Chamber to be eligible to apply?
A: No, any Rocklin business owner is welcome to apply regardless of member status.

Q: Is the application first come first served?
A: No. Applications are accepted September 4-September 18, 2020. If the requests for grants exceeds the total amount of grant funds, businesses with 0-5 employees will be given first preference. An oversight committee comprised of representatives from the Rocklin Chamber and the City of Rocklin will make the final determinations of grant awardees.

Q: If I hold a business license in another city but conduct business in Rocklin, do I qualify?
A: No, you must hold a current businesses license with the City of Rocklin.

Q: If I own multiple franchises but only 2 are located in Rocklin, do I quality to apply?
A: Yes, IF your employee count is under 30 FTE’s. A franchise owner may only submit 1 application with a maximum grant amount of $3,000.

Q: What documents do I need to have ready for the application?
A: You will need to upload a copy of your business license, W9 and expense receipts.

Q: Is there a paper copy of the application?
A: Yes, a paper copy is available upon request.

Q: I’m currently in the process of opening my business, do I qualify to apply?
A: No, your business must have been in operation as of March 1, 2020.

Q: Can I request less than $3,000?
A: Yes, please specify in the application.

Q: Do breweries/wineries/tasting rooms qualify as a restaurant if they serve food?
A: Yes, IF the establishment offered dine-in service as of March 1, 2020.

Q: Does rent qualify as an eligible expense?
A: No. Only unanticipated operational expenses or purchases are eligible.

Q: Why is the application period only two weeks long?
A: We want to be able to distribute much needed funds in a timely manner.

Q: How many restaurants are expected to be helped with this program?
A: With $200,000 in funding available and up to $3,000 awarded to each restaurant, this program is expected to help approximately 60 restaurants.

Q: What are examples of “eligible expenses”?
A: Examples include: Subscription to customer delivery services, special advertising and promotions, and the purchase of equipment or supplies (disposable menus, masks, gloves, outdoor seating, etc).

Q: Can I be reimbursed for lost revenue?
A: No. This grant is intended to help offset the cost of unanticipated operating expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, not lost revenue.

Q: When will the grants be administered?
A: Notification of award and the distribution of grant funds will be administered in October 2020.

Q: How do I demonstrate my unanticipated operational expenses or purchases?
A: In the application you will be required to upload receipts.

Q: How do I calculate FTE equivalents?
A: A full-time employee is categorized as 40 hours/week. If you have part-time employees, you add up your part-time employee total hours in a week and divide by 40 to give you your FTE.

Q: Who do I contact with questions?
A: Please contact the Rocklin Chamber at 916-624-2548 or Tiffany Neilson at [email protected].