PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Concert venues were hit especially hard by the coronavirus pandemic, so the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is stepping in to help.
It is now accepting applications for the Community Stage Relief Grant Program.
Iconic venues like The Stone Pony helped launch the careers of legends like Bruce Springsteen, and NJEDA is trying to breathe new life into places that have felt a recent economic downturn.
The $17.5 million is aimed at helping smaller concert and entertainment venues and the people who depend on them for income.
“When we think about live performances, it’s not just the event,” said Tai Cooper, NJEDA chief community development officer.
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As such, venues aren’t the only ones that can apply. Grants are eligible for event promoters, managers and management companies that work with live performers, booking agents, and other businesses and sole proprietors that organize live events.
Big arenas and amphitheaters in the state are not eligible, nor are restaurants that host live music from time to time.
“We wanted to be really intentional about this program to make sure that promoters were included,” Cooper explained. “If you think about it, where do promoters come into this space? Where do the managers of these live venues, how are they getting paid throughout COVID? They weren’t.”
For qualified applicants, 50% of revenue must come from organizing, hosting, promoting or producing live performances. They must demonstrate losses of at least 25% from 2019 to 2020 and must have at least 26 live shows with tickets sold in any 13-week span in 2019, among other requirements, which can be found here.
Grants up to $300,000 are available.
