Major Victory for Hospitality Industry as

Governor Vows to Sign NCGA's State Budget

After months of negotiations between the legislative leadership and Gov. Roy Cooper, the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) released the state budget bill this week. Yesterday, Gov. Cooper vowed to sign it into law, and we expect that to happen on Friday when the legislature sends it to his desk. 

Throughout the pandemic and during the 2021 legislative long session, NCRLA has been fighting for state and federal relief for the hospitality industry, which it so desperately needs after pandemic shutdowns and mandates wreaked havoc on our industry. We surveyed our members to find out what they needed, held meetings with the leadership, and lobbied Gov. Cooper and members of the NC House and Senate. The good news is that they recognized the needs we outlined in our February 2021 Blueprint for Revival and our June 2021 Addendum to the Blueprint that outlined specific ways federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars could be targeted specifically to help restaurants, bars, and hotels. Hospitality industry priorities that we directly lobbied for and that are included in the state Budget Bill (SB 105): 

READ MORE DETAILS on these industry priorities, and look for more information to come.

With President Biden signing into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on Monday, the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) ended for the fourth calendar quarter (Oct.-Dec.) of 2021. Our partners at the National Restaurant Association sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rettig urging both agencies to adopt objectives that will help restaurants. The specific measures are: 

Last week the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released a statement in support of investment in our nation’s infrastructure, but calling attention to the steep cost of terminating the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) two months early. Struggling hotel employees and small businesses should not be forced to bear that cost.

NCRLA and our national partners continue to advocate for the ERTC in subsequent legislation and will keep you updated on developments as they unfold.

Upon releasing its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 Vaccines, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) allotted a 30-day public comment period. In a letter to OSHA, the National Restaurant Association requested an additional 60-day extension to the comment period so that members could address the magnitude of issues in the ETS (including concerns) and provide the agency with comprehensive comments. The Association also led a webinar last week, developed a fact sheet, and published an article. The webinar can now be viewed on demand.  

This week, it was determined that the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals will handle the injunction. It is expected that all pending cases will be quickly consolidated in the coming days and the Court will issue a nationwide permanent injunction blocking OSHA from implementing the ETS. The 6th Circuit is made up of 11 Republican and 5 Democratic appointed judges.

Below is a list of additional resources that NCRLA has been following to help keep you informed:

Check out all our vaccine resources HERE. NCRLA will continue to share information as it becomes available and will pass along what actions, if any, federal DOL/OSHA will take.

In their last operator survey of the year, the National Restaurant Association is collecting data on the impact of coronavirus on the industry. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by December 1. The results will be used to compile both national and state data for the restaurant industry.

The Winston-Salem City Council unanimously approved a new $3 million program designed to help local nonprofits and small businesses stay afloat. The Recovery Grants program will provide up to $25,000 to businesses struggling to make mortgage, rent, or utility payments due to the pandemic.

Winston-Salem businesses with fewer than 25 employees that were established on or before January 1, 2020, may qualify for the grants. Nonprofits can qualify if they serve low-income areas and have a budget of less than $1 million.

A total of $1 million will be available to travel, tourism, hospitality, and arts nonprofits. Another $1 million will go to social service nonprofits, and another million will be reserved for small businesses.

The program will be funded through the federal American Rescue Plan and administered by United Way of Forsyth County. READ MORE

The City of Raleigh has made outdoor dining permanent, after a study by the city and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) found that more outdoor dining “will help downtown businesses recover fast and add vibrancy to our street-level experience.”

The public realm study found that 85% of respondents were in favor of the move. City leaders agreed to spend $500,000 from their American Rescue Plan funding to construct platforms, walls, and security to create up to 20 permanent outdoor dining extensions for businesses. READ MORE

As winter is coming soon, consumers’ dining patterns are starting to shift. Do you know what your customers’ expectations are and how do you meet their demands for a safe and clean environment? Hear from the experts about ways restaurants can stay on top of their hygiene game during the cold winter months and ensure their business keeps running full steam ahead. Watch the recording here at your convenience.

Staffing challenges are not new to the hospitality industry, but the current labor landscape has everyone owner, operator, and manager struggling to keep their business fully staffed. Join The Show To-Go’s free webinar on Thursday, November 18 at 3PM ET to learn how to navigate beyond the usual hiring and retention tactics and discover how today’s tech can help you build a game-changing workplace culture that will strengthen your workforce and your bottom line. REGISTER HERE.

Want more free educational content? Check out the other free on-demand sessions available now. The Show To Go’s educational lineup is designed to give industry professionals a wealth of ideas on how to optimize business and drive positive change within the industry.

NCRLA.org | 919-844-0098