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Davids Announces Opening Of Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program To Support Local Jobs

April 8, 2021

Through the American Rescue Plan, Rep. Sharice Davids Helped Secure Additional Funding for Local Venue Businesses Hurt by COVID-19

Local Venues Can Begin Applying for Assistance Today HERE

Today, Rep. Sharice Davids announced that more help is here for local businesses and jobs as the Small Business Administration's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program will begin accepting applications on Thursday, April 8th, 2021. Davids 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 venue operators can get more information on how to apply at SBA.govHERE.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Venue Operators to close their doors, forgoing revenue that they rely upon to pay their bills and employees," said Davids. "With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, these businesses now have access to funding through the Venue Operators Grants program which, along with our national vaccine plan, will help return our economy to normal. This federal funding will help venue operators open their doors once again and provide paychecks for employees."

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

Click here for a full list of how venue operators can use the grants mentioned above.

In order to highlight how the American Rescue Plan is already helping Kansas, this week Davids is on tour visiting local vaccination sites, health clinics, small businesses, and schools in her district. The American Rescue Plan, which Davids voted to support, is putting shots in arms, money in pockets, children in schools, and people in jobs.