‘$5,000 doesn’t cover that’: Richmond business owners appreciative of water crisis grant funding, but say they need more

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Grant applications for businesses hit hard by Richmond city's water crisis in early January are funneling in -- but owners say they're going to need more funding to put things back to rights.

The City opened applications for the 'Small Business Recovery Grant Fund' on Monday, March 17 for eligible businesses.

Per the application, businesses are to request $2,500 or $5,000 in grant funding.

"It's not enough," said Natalie McNamara, CEO and managing partner of Harry's at Hofheimer and board member of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association. "$2500, $5,000 —does it make a dent? Does it make things a little bit easier, for sure? Yeah, absolutely. [But] it depends on how much you lost."

McNamara told 8News that her establishment lost between $25,000 to $50,000 due to the water crisis.

"We spent many, many hours planning numerous events and numerous programs and tons of reservations and tons of ad dollars to ensure that we were not going to be slow [in] the beginning of January," McNamara explained. "[Then, on] Monday, Jan. 6, it snowed -- and then the water shut off."

The pain was also felt when McNamara had to think on how bills would be paid later in the month, as she said the meals and Virginia sales tax were due on the 20th.

She added it was tough on her employees, as well.

"They didn't even have a shower, to bathe and to clean up, to even come to work," McNamara said. "There's this whole domino effect — we couldn't make money and they couldn't come in because they didn't have water ... I don't even know how they were getting by."

Samuel Veney, co-owner of Philly Vegan, told 8News his restaurant had to endure upwards of $20,000 in losses.

"There was a residual impact -- it wasn't just that week, it was it continued on and on," Veney said. "This is the been our slowest start to any year that we've been open and our numbers are definitely down."

RELATED: Richmond leaders explain criteria for small business recover fund

The two businesses sent in applications for the recovery fund -- and they noticed the specific amounts they could request.

"The application system is interesting [because] it doesn't really ask you how much you think you lost, or [provide] any quantifying way of determining [what you lost,]" McNamara said. "So, what if I lost $100,000? What if the business next door lost $5,000? Am I in dire need [of] that $5,000 versus the person who lost $5,000?"

Veney explained how far he thought his potential $5,000 would be able to go.

"It helps to cover what we had to pay for our staff and then just a little bit more -- not much more," he said. "There's other restaurants that I know of that have lost 30, 40, 50, some $100,000 in just one week and that's a lot of money — $5,000 doesn't cover that. Again, it is a gesture of goodwill, but hopefully, we can do more."

Those who wish to apply for the Small Business Recovery Grant Fund can click here.

Eligibility and criteria for the grant are listed here -- however, 8News wanted to get more clarity on how businesses are chosen. City officials are working on this request.