WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) that more help is here for local businesses and jobs as the Small Business Administration’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program resumed accepting applications April 26, 2021. Congresswoman Williams helped secure additional funding for the program as part of the American Rescue Plan’s support for small businesses. The program includes over $16 billion in grants for shuttered venues. 

“Venue operators have been hit especially hard by this pandemic,” said Congresswoman Williams. “The opening of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants program will help our local venue operators put paychecks back in workers’ pockets, avoid permanent closures, cover rent payments and more. This program is another pivotal step toward recovering from this virus, getting people back in jobs and revitalizing our economy.”

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. Local venue operators can get more information on how to apply for grants here.   

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 their grants.

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