Restaurant Assistance Program

Restaurants in the City of Rocklin will soon be able to apply for grant funding to help offset the cost of unanticipated operating expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rocklin City Council approved the use of up to $200,000 of City federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds to support local restaurants and cover costs including, but not limited to, customer delivery services, special advertising and promotions, and the purchase of equipment or supplies (disposable menus, masks, gloves, outdoor seating, etc).

“Our local restaurants not only provide essential food service to residents and visitors, but vital employment and income to many members of the community,” Mayor Greg Janda said. “The CARES funding can be used to offset a small part of the costs of additional safety precautions and operating restrictions caused by the pandemic.”

Up to $3,000 will be awarded to Rocklin restaurants that successfully apply and meet basic criteria, including being locally owned and operated, have 30 or less employees, and have an active business license on March 1, 2020.

The Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce will administer the program but all Rocklin restaurants that meet the criteria are eligible to receive funding – Chamber membership is not a requirement.

“Small restaurants are part of the unique culture of Rocklin and it is imperative that we help them stay in business. This program provides much needed help,” said Robin Trimble, CEO of the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce.

The City anticipates it will receive $868,621 in CARES Act funds through the State of California.  Although more than $2 million has been identified in eligible City expenses, City Council chose to use more than 20 percent of the funds to support local businesses.

Grant Criteria

Grants will be awarded to Rocklin restaurants[1] based upon the following criteria:
 Eligibility:

• For-profit, locally owned and operated restaurant
• Up to 30 full-time equivalent employees (“FTE[2]”)
• Applications from franchise restaurants will be accepted as long as the franchisee does not own more than 2 franchise businesses in Rocklin.
• Physical restaurant establishment within the City of Rocklin that offered dine-in service as of March 1, 2020 (non-profit organizations, commissaries, food banks, groceries, farmers markets, mobile vendors, vending machines, catering, home kitchens, etc. are not eligible)
• Business must have a current City of Rocklin business license and have been in business on March 1, 2020
• Demonstrate unanticipated operational expenses or purchases incurred due to COVID-19 in the periods from March 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020; July 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020, or September 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020.
• Eligible expenses may include, but are not necessarily limited to, costs of customer delivery services (i.e. Door Dash), special advertising and promotions, and the purchase of specialty equipment and supplies (i.e. disposable menus, masks, gloves, outdoor seating, etc.). 
• Lost revenue or general expenses not related to COVID-19, such as rent, utilities, annual local, state and federal taxes or fees, are not eligible.
• Expenses covered by other government programs (i.e., Payroll Protection Program) are not eligible.
• Businesses must be in good standing with the City of Rocklin as of February 1, 2020 (e.g., no liens or judgments, excessive code violations, etc.) 

Prioritization of Grants: 

• Businesses 0-5 employees
• Businesses 6-30 employees

[1] Pursuant to 21 CFR 1.328 [Title 21 -- Food and Drugs; Chapter I -- Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services], restaurant means “a facility that prepares and sells food directly to consumers for immediate consumption”.

[2] The abbreviation FTE is short for “full-time equivalent.” The City of Rocklin determines the total number of employees of a business on a FTE basis. A full-time employee is one who works 40 hours per week. For example, one employee who works 40 hours per week equals one FTE. To determine the FTE number for part-time employees, add the total number of hours worked in a week by all part-time employees, and then divide that number by 40. For example, if a business has four part-time employees who work a total of 10 hours per week, those employees equal one FTE.