SBA reopens Shuttered Venue Operator Grant applications

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened its portal for the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant applications (SVOG). 

The portal allows for live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums, live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives affected by COVID to apply for economic relief. 

“We recognize the urgency and need to get this program up and running,” said Barb Carson, who is the deputy associate administrator of SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

“With venue operators in danger of closing, every day that passes by is a day that these businesses cannot afford. We remain dedicated to delivering emergency aid as quickly as possible and will begin reviewing the applications on Saturday as they are submitted.”

According to a press release from the SBA, the reopening initially began on April 8 but encountered a number of problems. Since then they have done the following:

• Clarifying and making program documentation more user-friendly;
• Improving application portal security mechanisms;
• Adding an industry-standard waiting room technology to address the high interest in the program and provide an orderly application process for fair and smooth performance; and
• Updating application features, including: a new revenue chart, the ability to upload multiple attachments, and an improved application flow to match the eligible entity types and their respective required documentation.

The SBA recommends eligible applicants do the following: 

• Register on the portal in advance. Applicants will need a smartphone and a multi-factor authenticator app to register and apply;
• Review the SVOG Frequently Asked Questions and Applicant User Guide; and
• Prepare required documentation, per the Application Checklist.

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The program is part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. An estimated $2 billion is reserved for eligible SVOG applications with up to 50 full-time employees.

Eligible applicants can qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue up to a maximum amount of $10 million for a single grant, the SBA says.

Applications are being accepted on a, "first-in, first-out basis and allocating applicants to respective priority periods as it receives applications. The first 14 days of SVOG awards, which are expected to begin in mid-May, will be dedicated to entities that suffered a 90% or greater revenue loss between April and December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

"The second 14 days (days 15-28) will include entities that suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss between April and December 2020. Following those periods, SVOG awards will include entities that suffered a 25% or greater revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020."

For more information and to view applicant resources, visit www.sba.gov/svogrant.

For more information about SVOG application portal technical assistance such as a password reset, browser suggestions, or how to use the multi-factor authentication with an app and the QR code, applicants can call 1-800-659-2955 or, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1-800-877-8339 and follow the prompts.