FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021

In this issue: 3 New Grants Put those Kids to Work (legally) What to Do if You Want Fee-Free PLCB Permits & To-Go Cocktails Forever but first, an update from the CDC and State . . . ATTENTION: As changes to mitigations start to slow down, so will the frequency of our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook @PGHnightEcon for urgent updates!

CDC UPDATE

Last week CDC updated guidance on mask wearing for fully vaccinated adults. Distancing is still required in Pennsylvania per the mitigation orders. It’s up to businesses to decide if they want to require masks for vaccinated staff & guests. They are not responsible to enforce.

PRLA shared a click & print sign to inform customers of the requirement.

CURRENT STATE MITIGATION

Effective Monday, May 17th: Event capacities were relaxed, allowing 50% indoors; 75% outdoors.   Rules in effect until May 31st:  Bars and Restaurants must still maintain 6 foot social distance between tables and guests. Bars and restaurants may have up to 75% capacity with social distancing if state certified; 50% if not. Guests must still be seated if they are eating or drinking  On May 31st at 12:01 a.m. all PA mitigation for hospitality businesses will be lifted. The only remaining requirement will be masking for non-vaccinated people until PA reaches a 70% vaccination rate.

...Just one more thing The LCB has updated its Guidance for All Counties to reflect changes to the event limits for discreet indoor and outdoor events, which can be found starting on page 2.

FINANCIAL RELIEF

OUTDOOR MUSIC/PERFORMANCE GRANT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD  URA is providing $1k bonus grants to fund outdoor performance in neighborhoods. Contact and work with your neighborhood Chamber of Commerce, Community Development Corp or Business Improvement District. They are the only eligible entities who can apply for the grants, but they are able to partner with businesses. Deadline May 28th.

$10K Grant for Black Women-Owned Small Businesses -- DEADLINE SUNDAY Fearless Fund and Mastercard are offering $10,000 grants to Black female business owners. Applications close this Sunday, May 23.  Be prepared to answer a few basic questions about your business, how COVID has impacted it, and what you would be able to do with a grant.

Last Call for Restaurant Grant   The SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant application portal will close at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 24th. Grant asks total approximately $29 billion for the $26 bil fund.  National Restaurant Association is circulating a petition for congress to replenish the fund.

$10k GRANT - Are you Eligible? The Stacy's Rise Project is providing female-founded businesses with $10,000 grants and mentorship. Applications are open until July 9. Eligible businesses are at least 50% female-founded (but not necessarily currently female-owned).

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Want Fee-Free PLCB Permits til 2023? HB 425 passed the house and goes before the state senate next week. If passed, it would extend until Dec 2022 the following reliefs: Fee waivers for permits for extension of premise (sidewalk café) and off-premise catering, as well as license safekeeping. It also would allow for the service of alcohol in non-contiguous extension of premises within 1000 feet of the business.  Want Drinks To-Go Forever? HB1154 would allow businesses to continue to sell Cocktails to-go permanently beyond the emergency declaration.  If you wish to support these measures, you can use PRLA's platform below. Notify senators you support the bills here.

WEBINARS

Did you know? 90% of AAPI-owned businesses lost revenue last year, a rate significantly higher than for other racial and ethnic groups.  From Hello Alice: There are more than 1.9 million businesses owned by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) across the United States, creating jobs and opportunities for their whole communities. However, recent data found that 90% of AAPI-owned businesses lost revenue last year, a rate significantly higher than for other racial and ethnic groups. What can we all do to support these business owners and ensure their ongoing success? Join us for a Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m. ET for an honest conversation among AAPI small business owners and their allies. Register here.

9% of U.S. Small Businesses are Veteran-Owned. Check out the SBA for resources specific to you!

Hiring Teens this Summer? "Understanding Youth Labor Laws" Summer jobs are a right of passage for many teenagers, but labor laws protecting youth workers are sometimes different than for adults. If you hire youth workers, register for this webinar from the PA Bureau of Labor Law Compliance and brush up on your knowledge of: work permits, recordkeeping requirements, hours/occupations standards for 14 & 15-year-olds, and the Hazardous Occupation Orders. Webinar: Youth Employment in PA When: May 27 at 9 a.m. Where: Online Register here.

HOSPITALITY STAFFING SHORTING

Factoid: In the last year, 25% of hospitality workers have left the industry for another career.   PRLA is offering businesses free job board posting for non-members for a limited time. Contact eric@prla

Check out previous COVID-19 resource newsletters for more information.

2021 

May 14 May 7

April 30 April 23 April 16 April 9 April 2  March 26 March 19 March 12 March 5

February 26 February 19 February 12 February 5 January 29 January 22 January 14 January 8

December 30 December 18 December 11 December 3 November 25 November 20 November 13 November 6 October 23 October 16 October 8 October 1

2020 September 25 September 17 September 11 September 3 August 27 August 21 August 13 August 6 July 31 July 24 July 16 July 7

June 26 June 18 June 12 June 4  May 28 May 21 May 15 May 7 April 30 April 23 April 17 April 10 April 3 March 26

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HELP US HELP YOU: Send your questions, challenges, or useful tidbits to Allison or Emily. Or give us a call at 412-400-9007. SHARE THIS NEWSLETER with other business owners and managers who work in or with Nighttime Economy. Sign up here to join our mailing list.

References to a specific product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement. Always, consult your professional service providers to decide if a resource is a right fit for your business.