New legislation with bi-partisan support aims to throw a life preserver to America’s beleaguered (and still shuttered) nightclubs and independent music venues.
The Save Our Stages Act was introduced earlier today by Senators John Cornyn (R) of Texas and former presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (D) of Minnesota. The Save Our Stages Act will create a $10 billion grant program through the Small Business Association to help independent music venues with six months of support for employee salaries and other expenses.
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) warned earlier this month that without government aid, they faced “certain collapse.”
NIVA has repeatedly pointed out that music venues “were the first to close and will be the last to fully re-open.”
“Our members told us months ago that if the shutdown lasted six months or longer and there wasn’t federal relief to hold them over, 90% of them would fold permanent,” NIVA president and CEO of First Avenue Productions Dayna Frank said. “With no revenue and immense overhead, four months in, it’s already happening.
“The warning light is flashing red and our only hope is for legislation like Save Our Stages Act or RESTART Act to be passed before Congress goes on August recess. Otherwise, most businesses in this industry will collapse.”
NIVA states that the Save Our Stages Act will permit recipients to use the grants to pay rent, utilities, mortgages, PPE procurement, contractors, maintenance, administrative costs, taxes, operating leases and “capital expenditures related to meeting state, local or federal social distancing guidelines.”
NIVA urges Americans to contact their representatives to support the Save Our Stages Act and has a neat form on their website to make it easy for you.
