Community Corner
Supporting Restaurants in Queens
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is a $28.6 billion fund recently established by the American Rescue Plan Act to help restaurants.
Queens Economic Development Corporation, grassroots organization Queens Together, the NYC Hospitality Alliance, and prominent local leaders today announced their “Get the word out” flyer campaign urging local restaurants to apply for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).
On hand for the event was community advocate Alfonso Quiroz, a candidate for New York City Council in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, who said as he grabbed flyers to distribute, "The restaurant sector has suffered immensely over this past year. We must do everything in our power to ensure they not only survive, but thrive. Even just by educating owners about this relief fund is a step toward helping them."
Teams then canvassed multi-language communities handing out flyers urging restaurants, bars, food carts and food trucks to apply for funds. The first 21 days of funding applications are dedicated to the most underserved communities.
Find out what's happening in Queensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Over the next two weeks, more flyers will be distributed in Rosedale, Jamaica, Laurelton, Flushing, Elmhurst, Astoria, Corona and LIC.
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) is a $28.6 billion fund recently established by the American Rescue Plan Act to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open during COVID19 and beyond.
Find out what's happening in Queensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Before Covid-19, Jackson Heights/North Corona had the most residents working in the restaurant industry, Elmhurst / South Corona had the second-highest, and together the two areas accounted for 24,000 restaurant workers. SInce COVID-19 began, 4,500 New York City restaurants have shut their doors.
A webinar on How to Apply for Funding Through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund is scheduled for Monday May 10 at 10AM. Speakers will take you the steps necessary to complete the application. To register https://queensny.org/calendar/rrf/.
Additionally QEDC to schedule an appointment for individual assistance in applying please email rrf@queensny.org or call 718 263 0546 and leave a message with your name, number and a counselor will respond within one day. Counseling is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Hindi.