PRLA Restaurant & Lodging Matters Spring 2021

22 • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters • Spring 2021 Pennsylvania Hospitality Recovery The following concepts have been outlined by the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association to specifically address PRLA’s priorities to assist the restaurant industry in recovering from the damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. GENERAL HOSPITALITY SOLUTIONS Designate additional state aid to the hospitality and tourism in- dustry in the form of grants, including additional funds to CHIRP and establishing grant programs for other facets of the hospitality and tourism industry not covered by CHIRP. co-sponsorship memo circulated: Polinchock, R–Bucks; Stephens, R–Montgomery; Kaufer, R–Luzerne Provide liability protection for the hospitality industry. HB 605: Ecker, R–Adams; cosponsorship memo circulated: Baker, R–Luzerne, Stefano, R–Fayette Create interest free loans for businesses. Relief of charges for unemployment claims for an additional nine months: January—September 2021. Allow restaurants to pay off delinquent sales tax payment accounts by 12/31/2021. Statewide prohibition of foreclosures and evictions until September 30, 2021. Increase funding for tourism promotion to $20 million to bring guests/travelers and their tax dollars/revenue back to Pennsylvania. Create a grant program for destination marketing organizations to promote their regions. HB 554: Rader, R–Monroe Support the Prioritize PA Small Business package. Aument, Ward, Phillips-Hill, Bartolotta PRE-PANDEMIC PA RESTAURANT INDUSTRY ECONOMIC DATA • $27.5 billion estimated sales in Pennsylvania restaurants in 2019 • 582,800 restaurant and food - service jobs in Pennsylvania = 10% of employment in the Commonwealth SINCE MARCH 2020 Restaurant operators have had to lay off or furloughed employees 91% Restaurant sales lost in April due to COVID-19 $1.8 BILLION Restaurant employees laid off or furloughed since the COVID-19 outbreak 332K Restaurant operators say it’s unlikely their res - taurant will be profitable in the next 6 months 86%