A restaurant at the Pizitz Food Hall in Birmingham has been awarded a grant of $50,000 from the City of Birmingham to fund an expansion that will including hiring an additional 30 employees.

Chef Erica Barrett’s SOCU Birmingham LLC, which opened the SOCU Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar at the Pizitz Food Hall last year, is the first recipient of a grant from the city’s Retention Incentives for Success and Expansion program.

“One of the shining stars in the culinary world is Chef Erica Barrett, who has garnered national recognition for her remarkable achievements, including being featured on the Food Network and having her products acknowledged by none other than Oprah Winfrey,” said Cornell Wesley, director of the city’s Office of Innovation and Economic Opportunity.

“Remarkably, she’s chosen to launch not just one, not just two, but three different brands right here in our beloved community of Birmingham, Alabama,” said Cornell Wesley, director of the city’s office of innovation and economic opportunity. “The first of these brands, Southern Culture Food, is proudly showcased before you today.”

Recipients of RISE grants must be in Birmingham and must retain or expand their employee base, Wesley told the Birmingham City Council on Tuesday.

“The funds obtained through this program can cover start-up costs, which includes FF&E, in other words furniture, fixtures and equipment, as well as salaries,” Wesley said.

“I’m pretty sure that there are other entrepreneurs or small businesses in our community that would love to take advantage of this,” said Birmingham City Council member J.T. Moore. “It just shows that we are pouring back into our small businesses, which are the backbone of our city.”

Moore asked how others can apply for such grants. Wesley referred potential applicants to his department’s web site: https://ieo.birminghamal.gov/

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