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Resource Links for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis

by David Dadekian November 28, 2020
written by David Dadekian

We’re All In This Together


¿Necesitas COVID-19 recursos en español? Por favor, póngase en contacto con Dorcas International.

There are a number of resources–on the national level, state level and municipal level–that have been enacted to help small businesses during this time of great need. I receive dozens of messages and emails each day asking what’s out there or do I have more information. Below are links to all the application forms and fact sheets that I’m currently aware of, plus some other resources on unemployment insurance and health.

I am taking all information from official web sites and cannot be responsible for any rule or regulation changes–consult with your accountant, lawyer, loan officer, etc. I can recommend those professionals if you need someone.

Jump down to:

  • Contact Your Government Representation
  • CARES Act General Overviews
  • SBA Coronavirus Pandemic Disaster Loans
  • Rhode Island Grants and Funding
  • City and Town Grants and Funding
  • Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance
  • Worker Relief Funds
  • Other Rhode Island Resources
  • Other National Resources
  • Mental Health Resources

Contact Your Government Representation

The only way these types of aid get passed is by contacting our representatives at all levels of government and making the need to save small businesses, such as our restaurants, a high priority. Here are contact info and search sites for you to find who you should be talking with.

Senator Jack Reed – 401-528-5200 or 202-224-4642

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse – 401-453-5294 or 202-224-2921

Find Your Representative
– Congressman Jim Langevin – 401-732-9400 or 202-225-2735
– Congressman David Cicilline – 401-729-5600 or 202-225-4911

Governor Gina Raimondo – 401-222-2080 / governor@governor.ri.gov

Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello – 401-222-2466 / rep-mattiello@rilegislature.gov
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio – 401-222-6655 / sen-ruggerio@rilegislature.gov

Find your Senator and Representative in the RI General Assembly


CARES Act General Overviews

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

CARES Act: Unemployment Insurance FAQ

Independent Restaurant Coalition COVID-19 Legislative Responses: Impact For Small Business


SBA Coronavirus Pandemic Disaster Loans

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources – overview page with funding options, guidance for businesses and other SBA information

Questions? Contact Mark Hayward, Rhode Island District Director and Regional Administrator for Region I at rhodeisland_do@sba.gov or mark.hayward@sba.gov

SBA Coronavirus Relief Options:

Economic Injury Disaster Loan including EIDL Forgiveness Advance

  • Forgiveness Advance of up to $10,000 in 3 business days
  • 3.75% interest rate for businesses, 2.75% interest rate for non-profits of up to $2,000,000 for up to 30 years
  • Unsecured up to $25,000. No personal guarantee for amounts up to $200,000
  • Up to 1 year payment deferral, interest will accrue
  • Apply here

Paycheck Protection Program

  • U.S. Treasury Information Sheet
  • American Enterprise Institute summary
  • Applied via an SBA-certified bank or credit union – find a lender—this is important as I’ve heard from owners around the country who’ve said their bank was not entering this program and they had to find a new bank
  • Apply directly for the PPP through the Community Reinvestment Fund and Goldman Sachs
  • I’ve also heard it’s recommended you download and review, if not fill out the sample lender form, though your bank may use a modified version
  • 1% interest rate, borrow up to 250% of average monthly payroll from the past year capped at $100,000 per employee, up to a maximum of $10,000,000, for up to 2 years
  • Up to 6 months deferral, interest will accrue
  • Forgiveness: up to 100% as long as loan proceeds amount spent by the borrower during the 8-week period after the origination date of the loan is used for: payroll costs, interest payment on any mortgage incurred prior to February 15, 2020, payment of rent on any lease in force prior to February 15, 2020, and payment on any utility for which service began before February 15, 2020. Employee and compensation levels must be maintained and payroll cost capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee
  • Any advance amount received under the EIDL Forgiveness Advance will be subtracted from the amount forgiven
  • Analytix Solutions in Woburn, MA has offered, for free, to figure out your maximum PPP forgiveness amount. Fill out their form.

SBA Express Bridge Loans

  • For any business that has an existing banking relationship with an SBA-certified lender
  • Up to $25,000 with an interest rate not to exceed prime + 6.5%, fixed or variable, for a maximum of 7 years

SBA Debt Relief

  • The SBA will pay the principal, interest, and fees of the above loans for six months
  • Debt relief is automatic, but you should check with your lender

Rhode Island Grants and Funding

Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund

Citizens Bank – LISC Small Business Recovery Grant

Rhode Island Commerce Short-term bridge loans for restaurants and microbusinesses

Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island COVID-19 Response Fund Grants


City and Town Grants and Funding

Providence Business Loan Fund

East Providence COVID-19 Job Retention Loan Program

East Providence Small Business Assistance

Pawtucket Business Development Corporation COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program


Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Compensation in the CARES Act FAQ

Understanding Rhode Island and Federal Paid Leave and Unemployment Insurance

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training

COVID-19 emergency unemployment insurance benefits for gig economy worker, contract worker, small business owner, worker for hire or self-employed


Worker Relief Funds

Another Round, Another Rally

American Farmland Trust Farmer Relief Fund

National Restaurant Association National Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

One Fair Wage Emergency Fund

Restaurant Strong Fund

Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Program

United States Bartenders’ Guild Emergency Assistance Program


Other Rhode Island Resources

Rhode Island Department of Health COVID-19 page

Rhode Island Superior Court Business Recovery Plan

RI DHS is exploring an expansion of a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) via a waiver. See details and complete the RI Food Policy Council form.

RI Food Policy Council Interactive Food Access Maps

Restaurants with Online Ordering and Take Out

Shop Local Food & Drink Businesses Online

Breweries Offering Curbside Can Sales


Other National Resources

Independent Restaurant Coalition

Restaurants Act – Tell Congress: Support Bipartisan Efforts to Improve Relief Efforts and To Provide Additional Funding

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United COVID-19 Resources

Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation Resources for Restaurants and Workers Coping with the COVID-19 Emergency

James Beard Foundation Resources Restaurants and COVID-19

No Kid Hungry Find Free Meals for Kids

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19) page


Mental Health Resources

RI Foundation COVID-19 Behavioral Health Fund Grants

Crisis Text Line – message with a live, trained crisis counselor

Chefs With Issues Facebook Group

Ben’s Friends – food and beverage industry support group offering hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction

Streaming Service Promotions (if it helps, it helps!)


With thanks to my friend Rick Simone of the Federal Hill Commerce Association and Providence Tourism Council

November 28, 2020 0 comment
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chefs & restaurantscookingfarmsnewswine & drinks

Up-to-the-minute Feeds of Congressman Jim Langevin’s Rhode Island Food Week

by David Dadekian October 6, 2021
written by David Dadekian
from left to right: Dale Venturini, Davide Dukcevich, Rep. Jim Langevin, Allan Tear, Jesse Rye
from left to right: Dale Venturini, Davide Dukcevich, Rep. Jim Langevin, Allan Tear, Jesse Rye

Congressman Jim Langevin kicked off a tour of food-related businesses in Rhode Island on Monday with a press conference at Daniele, Inc. in Burrillville. The tour is designed to “allow Langevin to meet leaders from agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing and food sales and discuss what tools they red to be successful and to help Rhode Island’s food economy grow.”

You can follow Langevin’s trip around Rhode Island which includes visits to Rogue Island, Warwick Ice Cream, Narragansett Creamery, Johnson & Wales University, Seafreeze, Nick’s on Broadway, Dave’s Marketplace, Baffoni’s Poultry Farm, Sons of Liberty Spirits, Verde Vineyards and more on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Both the Twitter and Instagram feeds using the tag #RIFoodWeek are live and up-to-the-minute (you may need to reload) on this page and the same tag is searchable on Facebook if you have an account.

Congressman Langevin is also posting updates and thoughts from the week on his site’s blog “Langevin Hits the Rhode.” The full Food Week news release from Congressman Langevin’s office follows below the Twitter and Instagram feeds.

#RIFoodWeek Tweets

Instagram of #RIFoodWeek

[alpine-phototile-for-instagram user=”dadekian” src=”global_tag” tag=”RIFoodWeek” imgl=”instagram” style=”vertical” size=”M” num=”4″ border=”1″ highlight=”1″ align=”center” max=”100″ nocredit=”1″]

Langevin Launches Food Week at Daniele Expansion Site
Tour Aims to Highlight and Support Food-Related Industries

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today kicked off a tour of the food-related businesses that have garnered the Ocean State a reputation as a food destination. Inspired by Davide Dukcevich, the co-owner of Daniele, Inc., this tour will allow Langevin to meet leaders from agriculture, fisheries, hospitality, manufacturing and food sales, and discuss what tools they need to be successful and to help Rhode Island’s food economy grow.

“When I met Davide back in August, he talked about the possibility of branding Rhode Island as the ‘Silicon Valley of Food’,” Langevin said. “That concept resonated with me, and I believe that the business savvy, enthusiasm and determination of individuals like Davide can make that idea a reality. I look forward to visiting a variety of businesses and hearing their suggestions for putting Rhode Island on the culinary map.”

The tour began at Daniele’s Burrillville location currently under construction. Along with Congressman Langevin, speakers at the kickoff included Davide Dukcevich, Jesse Rye of Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Dale Venturini of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association and Allan Tear of Rally Rhode Island.

“Rhode Island is uniquely positioned to develop and grow its food economy and Daniele is excited and pleased to be part of this effort,” said Davide Dukcevich, owner of Daniele,Inc. “With our local farmers, creative design culture, culinary experts and educators and dedicated food manufacturers and workforce we can do great things – as evidenced by Daniele’s local brand winning two National Good Food Awards. I thank Congressman Langevin for his efforts and foresight in helping develop our food valley.”

“Rhode Island is regularly named one of the top culinary spots in the northeast because we are fortunate to have some of the most talented restaurateurs and chefs in the country,” said Dale J. Venturini, President and CEO of the RI Hospitality Association. “Despite the economic challenges of the past several years, the hospitality industry continues to rank as one of the top five largest job producing industries in the state and we look to continue this trend for many years to come.”

“Rhode Island has all the right ingredients to be the center of culinary innovation in the U.S.,” said Allan Tear, Founder of Rally Rhode Island. “New food and beverage startups are joining our existing packaged food businesses in bringing their products to New England, the US, and the world. These food innovators create the kind of jobs that matter for Rhode Island.”

“Rhode Island is building a well-deserved reputation as a food destination and a big reason for that are the chefs, grocers and customers that prioritize supporting local farmers,” said Jesse Rye, Co-Executive Director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island. “Consumer values are driving changes in our food supply chain. We are demanding to know more about our food. Who grew it? How was it grown? How did it get to my table? Every time you raise a fork or knife you can make a statement – chose to support a local farmer. It’s good for the overall health of our state.”

Follow the progress of Food Week on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #RIFoodWeek and check Congressman Langevin’s blog for updates from each visit.

October 6, 2021 0 comment
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Bacon
cookingnews

Win a Year of Bacon from Whole Foods Market

by David Dadekian December 9, 2020
written by David Dadekian

Bacon

Whole Foods Market is holding a bacon contest through the end of July. You can enter by submitting your best recipe or creative use for bacon via their Meat Department Facebook page where you can also vote for your favorite entries (and tell your friends to vote for yours!). The complete details are here:

Win A Year of Bacon! To celebrate our sizzling hot bacon, we’re holding an online contest on Facebook to find the next big bacon idea. Bacon chocolates, cocktails and salt have been hits. What’s next? Share your idea and be entered to win a Year of Bacon. (Yes, a Year of Bacon!) Enter and vote for your favorites in the Bacon Smackdown going on between now and July 31 at facebook.com/wholefoodsmeat.

The grand prize winner chosen by Whole Foods Market receives a Year of Bacon, and the top 10 ideas as “liked” by the Facebook community receive $50 Whole Foods Market gift cards. Winners will be announced August 10, 2012. We expect the competition to be smokin’ hot, so good luck to all!

Theo Weening, Global Meat Coordinator for Whole Foods Market, had this to add about the bacon they sell at Whole Foods Market, “Bacon is one of the most versatile meats out there. I love it with blue cheese on a grass-fed beef burger. My daughter loves to dip it in maple syrup with pancakes. It’s tasty no matter how you slice it. Plus, all of the bacon we sell at Whole Foods Market comes from approved producers who raise the animals without antibiotics and cure the bacon with naturally-occurring salts, rather than synthetic nitrates or nitrites. So it’s naturally delicious.”

Berkshire pork belly after curing for bacon, prior to roasting (reverse view)
Berkshire pork belly after curing for bacon, prior to roasting (reverse view)

Regular readers of this site may recall last year’s Charcutepalooza posts, one of which involved curing your own bacon from pork belly (see above photo).

So to say I’m a bacon fan is a bit of an understatement. One of my favorite uses for bacon (actually two very similar ones) involves putting it in a sandwich, specifically a BLT or a grilled cheese with bacon and tomato. We’re coming up on the prime time of year for both those sandwiches and I cannot wait. For this Whole Foods Market bacon contest I would offer up something a little more indulgent and very local.

Bacon

BAMT

Print
Serves: 1
Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat
Rating: 5.0/5
( 1 voted )

Ingredients

  • Seven Stars Bakery baguette OR Olga’s Cup + Saucer foccacia
  • 4-6 strips of cooked bacon
  • 2 thick slices of a freshly picked RI tomato
  • kosher salt
  • 2-3 slices of Narragansett Creamery mozzarella
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • handful of RI arugula
  • extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Slice in half either an 8" length of baguette from Seven Stars Bakery or a square of focaccia from Olga’s Cup + Saucer. Layer bacon, tomato, a sprinkling of salt, mozzarella, ground black pepper and arugula tossed in a tiny bit of the olive oil, in between the slices, adjusting the salt, pepper and oil depending on the saltiness of the bacon and the strength of the arugula. Eat!

December 9, 2020 0 comment
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