Closed Arizona Venues Can Apply For Federal Grants: Here's How

ARIZONA — Venue operators in Arizona could finally start applying Friday for more than $16 billion in funding allocated by the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program.

However, the application portal was suspended on the very first day it opened due to technical difficulties.

The Small Business Administration said it is working closely with portal vendors to reopen as soon as possible.

"SBA will share advance notice of the time and date before the reopening so all applicants can be prepared and to ensure fair and equal access," the agency said. However, applicants can register for a new account.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is charged with handling the grants and will open up for applications at 9 a.m. local time, the agency announced.

The grant program is open to concert venues, movie theaters, museums, theatrical producers, live performance arts organizations, zoos, certain aquariums and talent representatives, among others.

"We know that for the stage and venue operators across the nation that help make this culture happen, the pandemic has been devastating," SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said in a statement. "Too many have been forced to lower the final curtain on their businesses. Today, with more than $16.2 billion available through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants, help is here. The SBA is committed to moving as quickly as possible to deliver this vital funding effectively and equitably — ensuring relief goes to those venue operators whose revenues have been most impacted by the pandemic.”

The grants will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis, broken down by need. The first 14 days of grant awards will go to those that lost 90 percent or more of their revenue between April and December 2020.

The next 14-day period will be for those that suffered a 70 percent or greater loss of revenue during the same time period, the SBA said.

The final period of award funding is for those with a 25 percent or greater revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020.

Of the total grant funding, at least $2 billion is reserved for those with up to 50 full-time employees, the SBA said.

Applicants can receive grants equal to 45 percent of their gross revenue or up to $10 million per grant.

Here are some of the venues and places that most likely can apply in Arizona, provided they meet the conditions set forth by the SBA:

• The Rialto Theatre/191 Toole (Tucson).
• Hotel Congress (Tucson).
• The Fox Theatre (Tucson).
• The Reid Park Zoo (Tucson).
• The Tucson Museum of Art (Tucson).
• The Van Buren/Crescent Ballroom (Phoenix).
• The Rebel Lounge (Phoenix).
• The Phoenix Zoo (Phoenix).
• The Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix).
• The Marquee Theatre (Tempe).

For more information on the program, visit the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant website.