Thank you, Erika for that warm introduction.
Erika, you are a true leader and advocate. The work the Independent Restaurant Coalition team has done – and is doing -- will leave a lasting legacy for countless entrepreneurs across the nation.
And, Ederique, your restaurant Gabriel Hall sounds amazing. Thank you for your work supporting and educating Detroit’s food community.
I’m honored to be here today with you both, and Devita with Food Lab Detroit, a community of food entrepreneurs doing such innovative and ground-breaking work.
And, to all the amazing entrepreneurs listening out there – your creativity, ingenuity and determination over the past year, as you’ve risen to the enormous challenges presented by this pandemic, have inspired me to work harder to help our nation’s small businesses recover and rebuild.
I know that you have already heard a lot of information this afternoon. Hopefully, you’ve had your questions answered and now you are ready to apply for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund when the portal opens on Monday.
I just wanted to add that the SBA is here to help you. We designed this program with you in mind. And we are working hard to get these funds out the door and into your hands.
We recognize that it’s critical that we deliver the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to businesses quickly, efficiently, and equitably.
We know restaurants were among the businesses that were first to close – and will likely be among the last to fully reopen. You represent the core of our neighborhoods and propel economic activity on our main streets across the nation. So many restaurants desperately need help to survive.
And we’re here to deliver that help – with a particular focus on our smallest and underserved businesses -- because we know that ALL our small businesses must be supported and given opportunities to succeed if our nation is going to thrive and retain our global competitiveness.
I take my role as the voice of America’s small businesses to heart. I know the impact small businesses have on our communities and on our economy, and I want you to feel like the giants you are in our economy.
So, thanks again to Devita Davison of FoodLab Detroit, chef Ederique Goudia of Gabriel Hall Detroit and Erika Polmar, with the IRC. Thank YOU for everything that you do for your communities, your employees and our nation’s economy.
Keep up hope. We’re here to help!