Month: January 2021

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligibility:

• 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, and
• Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements
• Must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020
• Venue or promoter must not have received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020

Allowable Uses:

• Payroll costs
• Rent payments
• Utility payments
• Scheduled mortgage payments (not including prepayment of principal)
• Scheduled debt payments (not including prepayment of principal) on any indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business prior to 02-15-20)
• Worker protection expenditures
• Payments to independent contractors (not to exceed $100K in annual compensation per contractor)
• Other ordinary and necessary business expenses, including maintenance costs
• Administrative costs (incl. fees and licensing)
• State and local taxes and fees
• Operating leases in effect as of 02-15-20
• Insurance payments
• Advertising, production transportation, and capital expenditures related to producing a theatrical or live performing arts production. (May not be primary use of funds.)

Application and additional guidelines will be posted when available. To find out more, visit the SBA’s website.