SBA Program Helps to Revitalize Restaurants in Houston

Summary

SBA Houston District Office Release 21-10, dated July 26, 2021, says more than 1,900 Houston businesses received over $498 million from the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund, an average award of $258K. District Director Tim Jeffcoat is quoted calling the money an injection that has helped an industry that generates billions of dollars for the Houston economy every year. Kristy Petty, who owns The Village Downtown in Bryan-College Station, says the grant let her keep key employees and move her brunch business to a family meal program. The release points small business owners to free advising through SBA resource partners.

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NEWS RELEASE
HOUSTON DISTRICT OFFICE
Release Date: July 26, 2021 Contact: Abigail.gonzalez@sba.gov
Release Number: 21-10 Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs & Instagram

SBA Program Helps to Revitalize Restaurants in Houston
Over 1,900 Local Businesses Awarded $498 Million in Grant Funding

HOUSTON – The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund provided much needed relief to
an industry that saw the negative impacts of the pandemic early on. Restaurants, bars, food
trucks, and other food establishments were able to access grant funding to cover certain
expenses like payroll and rent through the SBA program. In Houston, over 1,900 businesses
received funding totaling more than $498 million with an average award amount of $258K.

“The injection of $498 million from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund has helped to uplift an
industry that generates billions of dollars to the Houston economy every year. With its
closure, the SBA will continue to connect small business owners with resources to help them
stabilize, recover, and overcome pandemic-related loss”, said District Director Tim Jeffcoat.

After eleven years in business, Kristy Petty, owner of The Village Downtown in Bryan-College
Station, was working to expand her business when the pandemic restrictions began.
“Because of the funding I received from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, I was able to
retain my key employees, shift my brunch business to a family meal program, and ride out the
pandemic. I am now back on track for my expansion and have the SBA to thank for not losing
over a decade of hard work,” said Petty.

Businesses can continue to access free business advising through the SBA Resource Partner
network, which includes the Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center network,
SCORE Houston, the WBEA-Women’s Business Center, and the Greater Houston Women’s
Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Center. Resource Partners can assist
entrepreneurs with a range of business planning topics, including hiring employees, refining
marketing strategies, and accessing business funding.

Related links:
Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) FOIA - Dataset
Houston Resource Partner Contacts
COVID-19 Recovery Information in Other Languages (sba.gov)

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a
reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of
the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with
the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover
from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices
and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

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