Lucio’s Mexican and American Food in Quincy is one of 77 hometown restaurants to receive a $5,000 resilience grant from the California Restaurant Foundation and The PG&E Corporation Foundation. PG&E reports that the grants will allow small, locally owned businesses to invest in equipment upgrades, workforce training and more — all intended to help increase their longevity and business success.
“For me it’s a big help,” said owner Lucio Macias. He said he has “lots of projects” that the grant will help with, starting with fixing the fryer. After that, he said he wants to fix the patio, paint the building, change the carpet and fix the walk-in, among other improvements.
Macias emphasized how much grants like this help small businesses, which in turn support the community. He pointed out that he stays open all year round despite reduced business in the winter, and is usually able to retain all of his employees throughout the year.
The PG&E Foundation’s $900,000 charitable contribution to the California Restaurant Foundation during 2023 will fund $5,000 grants to 77 hometown restaurants in PG&E’s service area, as well as provide operating support for the restaurant foundation. Grants were made available to California resident restaurant owners with fewer than five units and less than $3 million in revenue; they prioritized minority- and women-owned businesses. Grant funds are available to help grantees pay for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardship, employee retention bonuses and training to help restaurant owners invest in their business and people.
“PG&E and The PG&E Corporation Foundation have provided invaluable and unwavering support for the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund since its inception in 2021, which has led to hundreds of independent restaurant owners across Northern and Central California fortifying their businesses for the long haul,” said Alycia Harshfield, the foundation’s executive director. So far, PG&E and PG&E Foundation’s charitable contribution has totaled $2.3 million, supporting a total of 521 restaurants.
“Our hometown, locally owned restaurants are the hearts and souls of our communities and the places where our family and friends gather to celebrate and create memories,” said Joe Wilson, regional vice president of PG&E’s North Valley and Sierra Region. “We’re so grateful for the California Restaurant Foundation’s continued partnership as we work together to help secure the long-term success of these local businesses. When our small businesses thrive, so do our communities.”
PG&E reports it is committed to helping customers reduce costs and improve energy efficiency and resiliency with various programs and tools. In the past five years, these programs have helped small and medium business customers save 166 million kWh of electricity — a savings of $33 million. For more information on PG&E small and medium business customer support, visit pge.com/smbsupport.
For more information on the California Restaurant Foundation, Restaurants Care or the Restaurant Resilience Fund, visit restaurantscare.org. For more information about PG&E, visit pge.com. The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E Corporation.
Information submitted by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. with additional reporting by Ingrid Burke
