The Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the application portal for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program. The SBA initially opened the application process on April 8th, but it was quickly closed due to technical issues. The program that has more than $16 billion available in economic relief.
“Simply put, this is emergency relief that can’t come too soon,” said Audrey Fix Schaefer, National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) board member and communications director. “Every single day that passes small businesses are receiving eviction notices, all the while $16 billion has been waiting for them. This is a lifeline for thousands of independent venues and promoters in big towns and in small communities across the nation. When you’ve had revenue losses of more than 90 percent and are in fear of going under, having the opportunity to apply for the grant is a relief, no matter what day of the week it is. We’re thankful our members won’t have to wait much longer.”
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (the Save Our Stages Act) earned extensive bipartisan support and was signed into law Dec. 27, 2020.
Without SVOG, 90 percent of NIVA members said they would be forced to shutter forever, creating a mass collapse of the industry.
NIVA comments on reopening of Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the application portal for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program. The SBA initially opened the application process on April 8th, but it was quickly closed due to technical issues. The program that has more than $16 billion available in economic relief.
“Simply put, this is emergency relief that can’t come too soon,” said Audrey Fix Schaefer, National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) board member and communications director. “Every single day that passes small businesses are receiving eviction notices, all the while $16 billion has been waiting for them. This is a lifeline for thousands of independent venues and promoters in big towns and in small communities across the nation. When you’ve had revenue losses of more than 90 percent and are in fear of going under, having the opportunity to apply for the grant is a relief, no matter what day of the week it is. We’re thankful our members won’t have to wait much longer.”
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (the Save Our Stages Act) earned extensive bipartisan support and was signed into law Dec. 27, 2020.
Without SVOG, 90 percent of NIVA members said they would be forced to shutter forever, creating a mass collapse of the industry.
The SBA has provided updated materials at Form SBA Form 3515 SBA Form 3515 SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS GRANT APPLICATION – OMB 3245-0420 and SVOG_UserGuide_4-23-20_FINAL.pdf (sba.gov).
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