Barbara Lee
Barbara Lee Celebrates Local Entrepreneurs, Vows to Continue Fighting for Recovery during National Small Business Week
In addition, Congresswoman Lee is a co-sponsor of H.R. 3807, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act, which will provide an additional $60 billion to support restaurants and other food and beverage businesses.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement on September 23 celebrating East Bay entrepreneurs during National Small Business Week, and vowing to continue fighting for resources to help local businesses to recover from the COVID-19 economic crisis.
“During this year’s Small Business Week, we celebrate the local business owners, entrepreneurs, and workers who drive our economy and give the East Bay so much of its diverse, resilient, and unique character,” Lee said. “Our small businesses have struggled to survive during the pandemic, and many have closed their doors permanently. Our work to get help for small businesses through the American Rescue Plan and other measures resulted in major investment in this community and allowed many businesses to weather the storm. But the pandemic is not over yet, and we still have more work to do in this recovery.”
East Bay small businesses have received significant help from funds authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the $1.7 trillion recovery bill passed by Congressional Democrats and signed by President Biden in March. The bill included a Restaurant Revitalization Fund and Shuttered Venue Operating Grants administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
A total of 668 East Bay restaurants, other food and beverage businesses, and venues received close to $300 million through these two programs. A city-by-city breakdown showing the number of businesses helped and the amounts of money awarded is below. More information about the individual businesses that received assistance can be found here.
Lee and House Democrats are now working to pass President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act, which includes a “generational” investment in American small businesses. The bill will help small businesses get through the ongoing pandemic and thrive by increasing access to capital, funding entrepreneurial development programs, supporting underserved businesses, and driving innovation.
In addition, Congresswoman Lee is a co-sponsor of H.R. 3807, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act, which will provide an additional $60 billion to support restaurants and other food and beverage businesses.
For more information about help available to small businesses, please see this comprehensive guide to SBA resources.
Recovery Funds Awarded to Small Businesses in California’s 13th Congressional District
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Total Awardees: 590
Total Amount: $212,676,228.49
By City:
- Oakland
Total awardees: 297
Total amount: $99,965,410.64
- San Leandro
Total awardees: 44
Total amount: $12,909,939.13
- Berkeley
Total awardees: 146
Total amount: $63,817,616.60
- Alameda
Total awardees: 61
Total amount: $20,031,428.71
- Albany
Total awardees: 12
Total amount: $2,686,934.95
- Emeryville
Total awardees: 29
Total amount: $13,163,744.46
- Piedmont
Total awardees: 1
Total amount: $101,154
Shuttered Venues Operating Grants (As of September 13, 2021)
Total Awardees: 78
Total Amount: $87,142,607
By City:
- Oakland
Total awardees: 36
Total amount: $19,917,509
- San Leandro
Total awardees: 3
Total amount: $234,970
- Berkeley
Total awardees: 29
Total amount: $59,197,077
- Alameda
Total awardees: 7
Total amount: $5,098,536
- Albany
Total awardees: 1
Total amount: $311,674
- Emeryville
Total awardees: 2
Total amount: $2,382,841
- Piedmont: None
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