The Slice gives you all the news you can use. Each issue will include the latest news, COVID-19 updates, legislative news, and other relevant items for our readers. Please let us know if you'd like to see anything in particular or have other feedback - just email marketing@vrlta.org.
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VRLTA awarded $255,500 for job training/upskilling, job board
VRLTA has been awarded a grant from GO Virginia Region 4, supported by additional funds from the City of Richmond and Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover Counties, to offer free training to unemployed/underemployed hotel and restaurant workers and to support the growth of our industry-specific job board. See the full press release here.
The program will allow workers to take training courses offered by the National Restaurant Association's ServSafe and ServSuccess programs, as well as the American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute, for free. Hospitality employees living or working in GO Virginia's Region 4 will be eligible, whether they are currently working or not. The program will be available to individuals, and VRLTA will also be working with member businesses to facilitate sign ups for their employees.
The funds will also support the expansion of the VRLTA hospitality- and tourism-specific job board. The job board currently has 240 positions listed across the state. As these businesses work to fill open positions, funds will be used to generate awareness of the job board and connect employees and employers. |
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Update: VRLTA General Assembly ask gains momentum
As we shared last week, VRLTA has asked the General Assembly for $270M+ to comprehensively support tourism and hospitality in Virginia. These funds would come from the funding Virginia will receive as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that was signed into law by President Biden on 3/11.
VRLTA staff has had meetings and calls with the Governor's office as well as various members of the General Assembly who will be making decisions on where to allocate Virginia's portion of the ARPA funds. We have been encouraged that these legislators and officials recognize the need to help hospitality and tourism.
VRLTA will continue to push for this critical support, which asked for $184.7 million for hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, and other lodging establishments; $36.7 million for restaurants; $10 million for attractions; $33.75 million for DMOs/VTC/Convention Centers; $2 million for campgrounds; $4.7 million for wedding venues; and $1.5 million for training and upskilling and job board promotion. If you missed it last week, here is the letter sent to lawmakers as well as details on the proposal. We will keep you up to date as additional news is available.
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Vaccine Update: On April 18, vaccines will be available to anyone in Virginia aged 16+
This Sunday, April 18, anyone over the age of 16 will be eligible to get a vaccine in Virginia. Most health districts are already at this stage (Phase 2), with the remaining 8 also moving to Phase 2 on Sunday. See where your district is currently here. What does this mean? If you can find a vaccine, you are eligible to receive it! |
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Trying to find a vaccine? Check out these resources:
- VDH is already reaching out to people in Phase 2 who have preregistered at https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/ to sign up for an appointment, so if you or your employees haven't preregistered, do so now!
- Looking for a place to be vaccinated? Visit this page for open clinic locations (currently has clinics for Roanoke, Lexington, and Harrisonburg)
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In Hampton Roads? Anyone over 16 can now register for a vaccine clinic at Military Circle Mall. More information here.
- Visit your local Health Department District's website to see if any locations nearby are offering vaccines.
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Vaccinefinder.org has listings from pharmacies, grocery stores, etc. that are offering vaccines.
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VRLTA Announces DoorDash Grant Recipients
VRLTA is pleased to announce the recipients of the $450,000 in DoorDash grants. See the press release here, and learn more about our recipients below. |
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Planning to apply for the Restaurant Revitalization Grant?
Updates from the NRA:
- Timing: We anticipate the release of an official RRFG application, an informational SBA website, and a program guide as soon as this week or next week. Once the application is released, restaurants will have time to receive and understand the form before the application process begins.
- Indicators: Here is a draft, unofficial RRFG application that has not been publicly released by the SBA. This information helped inform the Association’s FAQ, but is still under review by the SBA. We share this to provide context for restaurant operators, especially as ambitious consultants or “grant writers” offer services to navigate unforeseen grant materials. The latest, most useful information will be coming from the National Restaurant Association and our state partners.
- Efficiency: The RRFG program is expected to run on a government platform that processes grant applications similar to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The government platform that operates PPP has approved nearly four million loans in 2021. While RRFG is a grant program, not a loan program, the PPP platform provides assurance that the system will be conditioned to meet the tremendous demand of restaurants. This is a separate platform from the SBA’s Shuttered Venues Operator Grant program, which had to temporarily shut down last week due to technical problems.
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Mark Your Calendar!
Other Webinar Resources...
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Past VRLTA webinars can be seen here.
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National Restaurant Association on-demand webinars on a variety of topics can be found here.
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AHLA also has many on-demand webinars for members. Find them here.
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The Restaurant Law Center has free webinars on demand here.
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The U.S. Travel Association has past webinars available for download here.
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Ruling on accessibility of websites
VRLTA is excited to share a big win in the fight against abusive website lawsuits. In 2017, AHLA joined with the National Restaurant Association and other organizations to support litigation in the case of Gil v. Winn Dixie before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals seeking to clarify rules about website accessibility. After two and a half years of deliberation, the court, late last week, agreed with our position and determined that websites were not places of public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Over the past several years hotels have become the targets of serial lawsuits claiming violations of the ADA, and in many cases, demanding large settlements from small businesses. Often, plaintiffs will claim barriers to accessing a hotel's facilities when they have never visited the property. In recent years, the suits have expanded to include the accessibility and content of business websites. In those circumstances, it is particularly challenging for hoteliers, because the ADA does not prescribe specific rules about website accessibility. Some courts have inappropriately expanded the ADA to cover websites without Congress or regulatory agencies drafting new rules for businesses to follow. Ultimately, many of the lawsuits attempt to exploit hoteliers under the guise of protecting disabled Americans. Over the years, AHLA has actively worked to educate lawmakers and stakeholders about these challenges. Today, we are pleased to share our efforts are making a difference.
The 11th Circuit's decision disagrees with the finding of another federal court which increases the likelihood that the U.S. Supreme Court would review the issue to create a national standard for website compliance. The ruling sends a strong message about the importance of consistency in enforcing the law and is a critical step in creating certainty for businesses. However, it does not yet fully resolve the problems that drive-by and click-by lawsuits create for hotels across the country.
The lodging industry has long been the leading industry in supporting the ADA as a critical civil rights law. To that end, the industry works closely with U.S. Access Board, a federal agency responsible for developing guidelines and standards for the ADA, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice to represent our industry's perspective on these important matters. AHLA will continue to actively engage on this issue and work with policy makers, coalition partners, and advocates, to protect our members and the lodging industry. To read more about the court's decision please see this analysis by Seyfarth Shaw.
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2020 Legislation with delayed enactment takes effect May 1, 2021
Remember, some new legislation goes into effect May 1 which may affect your business.
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Attend the 2021 NRA Public Affairs Conference on 4/20
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Learn more about the Registered Apprentice Program
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VRLTA Job Board: FREE Listings for VRLTA Members
VRLTA's hospitality- and tourism-specific job board currently has over 120 jobs listed. Has your company listed open positions? If not, you might be missing that perfect candidate.
VRLTA members get unlimited listings for free (choose 30, 60 or 90 days - up to $100 value for each listing!). A 30-day listing for nonmembers is just $50. Job seekers can search jobs statewide and post their resume in the resume bank. Take advantage of your membership and get free listings through the end of the year. There's no cost or risk to members - why not give it a try?
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Want to be featured on Member Monday?
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Virginia Travel Guide now available
The 2021 Virginia Travel Guide is now available! The Guide is the official guide of VRLTA and is distributed at all Virginia Welcome Centers, State Rest Areas and regional visitor centers throughout the state. Check it out here!
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AHLA Updates Safe Stay Guidelines
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CDC relaxes travel guidelines for those fully vaccinated; U.S. Travel weighs in
The CDC announced new guidance on April 2, saying that fully vaccinated people are at low-risk from travel ( learn more here). U.S. Travel released a statement in support, which can be seen here.
U.S. Travel is also calling for industry professionals to contact legislators about the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act. Learn more here. |
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Shuttered Venues Operators Grant Program now open
The SVOG program was created when the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act was signed into law in late December. The Economic Aid Act appropriated $15 billion to the program, which is designed to provide eligible applicants with grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, up to a maximum of $10 million. The American Rescue Plan Act, which became law March 11, appropriated an additional $1.25 billion to the SVOG, bringing the program’s funding to a total of $16.25 billion. More than $16 billion of the funding is set aside for grants. The American Rescue Plan Act also amended the SVOG program so entities that apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan after Dec. 27, 2020, can also apply for an SVOG, with the eligible entity’s SVOG to be reduced by the PPP loan amount. Entities eligible to apply for an SVOG include live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theater operators, and talent representatives. Additional resources:
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