Today, Rep. Pingree announced that more help is here for local businesses and workers as the Small Business Administration’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program begins accepting applications on Thursday, April 8th, 2021. Pingree helped secure additional funding for the program as part of the American Rescue Plan’s support for small businesses. The program includes a total of over $16 billion in grants for shuttered venues.Local venues can begin applying for assistance Thursday HERE.
“Live venues like our concert halls, museums, theaters, and movie theaters have been hit especially hard by this pandemic. They closed down to keep their communities safe, and many still haven’t been able to fully reopen,” said Pingree. “As Chair of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve heard from venue owners and operators about their struggles over the last year. That’s why I fought for this important relief program, which will be another pivotal step toward crushing this virus, getting people back in jobs and revitalizing our economy. These grants will help put paychecks back in workers’ pockets, avoid permanent closures, cover rent payments and eventually restore the much-needed sense of vibrant community these venues have always provided.”
Who Can Apply:
Live venue operators or promoters
Theatrical producers
Live performing arts organization operators
Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria
Motion picture theater operators
Talent representatives
Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements
Applicants must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020. A venue or promoter who received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020, will have the SVOG reduced by the PPP loan amount. Click here for more information about who can apply.
Venue operates can use their grants for:
Payroll costs
Rent payments
Utility payments
Worker protection expenditures, and
More
Pingree has served as Chair of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee since January 2021, where she oversees funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and other cultural agencies. She serves as co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus.
Click here for a full list of how venue operators can use their grants.
