Cultural institutions including movie theaters and music venues were among the hardest hit by the pandemic. Nearly $16 billion in federal funding was made available to revive the cultural arts, but processing and receiving these awards has taken longer than expected.
Yesterday, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced 52 live entertainment venues in Montana will receive around $12 million in grant funds to help cover pandemic-related losses. These awards are part of the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant.
Sean Lynch, who owns the Pub Station music venue in Billings, put in his application in April after the federal program became law back in December. He’s still awaiting a final decision on whether or not his application will be funded.
“Businesses have expenses whether you have employees or not you still have rent, utilities, you have everything that goes into running a business. Insurance, all of that stuff,” says Lynch.
Lynch represents Montana music venues in his role on the Reopening Committee for the National Independent Venue Association. Even though there’s been technical issues with the grant portal, delaying funding for all applicants, he’s trying to stay optimistic.
“I think it’s good people are moving forward. I think there's a lot of worry with the delta variant out there, what’s happening on that. We’re just at this point in time really focusing on trying to make sure the industry stays open.”
Lynch says he received word from the SBA that his application is in the final review stage. The organization has made funding decisions on 97 percent of applications received. Venues that did not receive grant funds can make an appeal or request that the awarded grant amount be reconsidered.
