During a visit to the Bank of New Hampshire Stage in Concord this afternoon, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) highlighted the need to include emergency support for Granite State independent entertainment venues in upcoming COVID-19 relief legislation. The live entertainment industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Independent entertainment venues like the Capitol Center for the Arts, which operates the Bank of New Hampshire Stage, and others across New Hampshire have been among the worst-hit businesses, suffering devastating financial losses. Closures impact owners and employees directly, as well as indirectly affecting contractors, suppliers and business partners that support the live entertainment industry. During her visit, Shaheen met with staff of independent venues from across the state and heard more about the challenges they face in the present environment.
“New Hampshire’s independent entertainment venues enrich our communities while driving economic growth and job creation. However, these venues have been some of the hardest-hit businesses during the pandemic and need help now to ensure they can keep their doors open,” said Shaheen.
“That’s why I’m fighting to include legislation to provide independent entertainment venues with the help they need to weather and recover from this crisis in any upcoming COVID-19 relief package.”
Shaheen
Save Our Stages Act
Shaheen also underscored her efforts to provide relief to this important sector of the state’s economy. The Save Our Stages Act, is bipartisan legislation that would authorize the Small Business Administration to provide grants for businesses – including independent and live performance venues – to help offset their lost revenues due to COVID-19 related closures. Shaheen also supports the Entertainments New Credit Opportunity for Relief and Economic Sustainability (ENCORES) Act, which would create a new tax credit for live entertainment venues with fewer than 500 employees to help cover the cost of refunded tickets for shows that were canceled due to the pandemic.