Norfolk hotel staff stretched thin, managers hunting for hires before summer We are absolutely scared to death. We are going to have one of the best Memorial Day Weekends coming up, but we don’t have the staff to do it. Author: Allison Bazzle Updated: 11:13 PM EDT May 7, 2021
NORFOLK, Va. The unemployment rate didn’t change much in April, sticking around six percent. But hospitality industry leaders in Norfolk say there are a lot of jobs up for grabs, especially at hotels.
“We are one gas tank away from 72 million people,” said Visit Norfolk CEO Kurt Krause. “And those people want to get out. They are tired of being cooped up inside.”
and last updated 2021-04-08 16:45:16-04
NORFOLK, Va. - The tourism and hospitality industry brought in about $27 billion but lost about $10 billion of that last year during the pandemic, according to estimates from the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association. That s a huge impact on an industry that is very slow to recovery, said Eric Terry, the group s president.
Now, the group has written a letter to state lawmakers in order to ensure the industry receives from funding from the recently passed American Rescue Plan. The law tells states to make sure impacted industries get some of the relief.
A spokesman for Del. Luke Torian, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the state is still waiting from guidelines from the federal government before being able to offer a response to the letter.
Some Virginia businesses have a chance at another grant.
DoorDash will award 125 grants for a total of up to $450,000 to Virginia restaurants that have been active in helping their community and adapting their business during the pandemic, according to the VRLTA’s website.
Each applicant selected for the grant will receive a one-time “grant disbursement” of $3,500. The business does not need to be a current DoorDash partner or a VRLTA member to apply.
According to the VRLTA’s website, eligible businesses must be independently owned with no more than three locations, with at least one location open and operating as a food service establishment in Virginia.
DoorDash partners with VRLTA for restaurant grants
DoorDash partners with VRLTA for restaurant grants By Andrew Webb | February 5, 2021 at 2:30 PM EST - Updated February 5 at 5:25 PM
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Door Dash is partnering with the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association (VRLTA) to distribute grants to restaurants around the commonwealth.
DoorDash has pledged $450,000 for these grants, each one will be for $3,500. Restaurants can use the money in any way.
VRLTA President Eric Terry says that this grant is aimed at supporting smaller restaurants and businesses.
“There’s certain criteria included,” Terry said. “They have to be less than $3 million in revenue, 50 employees or so. And so it does focus more on smaller restaurants and businesses.”