COVID-19 Business Resources

The Federal Small Business Administration (SBA) will be awarding $28.6 billion in grants to restaurants, bars and other similar food or beverage businesses affected by the pandemic and subsequent shutdowns. Funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Program comes from the American Rescue Plan.

Restaurant Revitalization Program Guidelines

The application time period has not yet been announced but is expected to open within a couple weeks.

St. Louis County encourages eligible businesses to prepare now to apply for these funds. County staff are available to answer questions and assist business owners in understanding the guidelines and application process.

Two virtual information sessions were offered to provide information and answer questions. To view the video of the meeting click here. The password required to view the WebEx meeting is, bPvv2DGs.

Eligible entities are businesses that are not permanently closed and include businesses where the public or patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink including:

• Restaurants
• Food stands, food trucks, food carts
• Caterers
• Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns
• Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products
• Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars
• Other similar places of business in which the public or patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink

Additionally, the following businesses are eligible if on-site sales to the public comprised at least 33% of gross receipts in 2019

• Bakeries
• Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms
• Breweries and/or microbreweries
• Wineries and distilleries
• Inns

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 

• COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan
• Paycheck Protection Program
• Restaurant Revitalization Fund
• SBA Debt Relief
• SBA Express Bridge Loans
• IRS: Employee Retention Credit

Minnesota Employment & Economic Development (DEED) 

• MN Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
• DEED Business Financing Programs
• Unemployment Insurance Shared Work Programs
• Minnesota Fund

Local and Regional 

• Minnesota Power
• Northeast Minnesota Small Business Development Center
• Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation
• Entrepreneur Fund
• Northland Foundation
• COVID-19 Northeast Minnesota Response Fund
• Duluth Superior Area Community Opportunity Fund
• Duluth Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC)

Additional Resources 

• COVID-10 Federal Resource Guide
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
• Minnesota Senator Tina Smith: Coronavirus Relief Package Frequently Asked Questions
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Business Toolkit
• Information about Business Interruption Insurance
• SCORE Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub
• Minnesota Department of Revenue: Tax-Related Services in Response to COVID-19
• U.S. Internal Revenue Service Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments
• Department of Labor: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
• The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Legislative Summary
• What the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Means to Nonprofits
• Springboard for the Arts Personal Emergency Relief Fund
• USBG National Charity Foundation 
• Minnesota Council of Non-Profits