Theaters could be eligible for financial help under state program. | pixabay
Theaters could be eligible for financial help under state program. | pixabay
Financial help will soon be available to help movie theaters recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the Iowa Movie Theatre Relief Fund, launched by Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority, almost 150 movie theaters will be eligible for up to $10,000 per screen in grant money to help with operating costs. The state has set aside $5.5 million of federal money from the CARES Act to fund the program.
Qualifying applicants show films for customers of all ages in the state had regular screenings in 2019, and were restricted by Reynolds' Proclamation of Disaster Emergency or at the time of the application hasn't been able to host screenings since March 17, and lost revenue. Corporate theaters are required to use the grant money for the facilities in the state.
"In so many small towns and rural communities, a movie theater can be the lifeblood of Main Street," Reynolds said in a release. "This program will assist movie theaters in their day-to-day operations alleviating some of the economic strain they are seeing as a result of virus mitigation and social distancing practices."
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