On December 27, 2020, $15 billion was appropriated for a new relief program (the shuttered venue grant program) to be administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Under this program live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, or live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, and talent representatives will be eligible to receive grants of up to $10 million to pay certain costs if they:
- were in operation on February 29, 2020;
- experienced a 25% or greater revenue decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic during any quarter of 2020 as compared to the same quarter in 2019; and
- satisfy other eligibility requirements.
For the latest information, details, and to apply, visit the SBA website here: www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant
Need assistance? The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has partnered with the SBA and can help! As this is a federal program, SBDC can provide information on this resource, direct businesses to the website and share general eligibility, but are unable to assist with preparing the actual application. Sign up for free counseling today by visiting https://mdsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup