WASHINGTON, D.C. (WKZO AM/FM) – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) have joined a bipartisan effort, pressing the U.S. Small
U.S. Senator Gary Peters. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Gary Peters).
Business Administration to disburse Shuttered Venue Operator Grant funding to struggling live entertainment venues as soon as possible.
The program, which was originally proposed in the Save Our Stages Act, was created more than six months ago, and the Senators say event venues continue to go out of business while waiting for these grants.
They sent a letter to the administration Wednesday.
“The Save Our Stages Act, now the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, was created to prevent widespread closures of venues that have been devastated by the loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the senators wrote in part. “As supporters of the SVOG program, we urge you to take immediate action to ensure that the relief reaches eligible applicants without further delay.”
It continues,
“…It has been nearly six months since Congress passed the Save our Stages Act, nearly two months since the second launch of the program, and 51 days since the Small Business Administration (SBA) began receiving applications. We urge you to immediately take steps to ensure the funds are distributed to qualified applicants…Bureaucratic process cannot stand in the way of getting these desperately needed funds out the door.”
To read the full letter, click here.
