Akin Gump Helps Secure Critical Relief for Independent Venues, Movie Theaters Via Passage of Save Our Stages Act

(Washington, D.C.) – The Save Our Stages Act, which will provide emergency relief to independent music and arts venues, movie theaters and other small businesses across the U.S. that have been devastated by the pandemic’s shutdown, has passed as part of the COVID-19 Relief Bill. The legislation will enable these locally owned businesses to hold on until it is safe to gather, reopen fully, and once again return to serve as economic engines for their communities.  

A team from Akin Gump’s public law and policy practice represented the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) in helping secure passage of the bill. NIVA formed in the early days of the pandemic and now includes 3,000 members across every state and Washington, D.C. NATO is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing over 35,000 movie screens in all 50 states.

The legislation provides critical help to shuttered small businesses by providing a grant equal to 45 percent of gross revenue from 2019, with a cap of $10 million per entity. This grant funding will ensure recipients can stay afloat until reopening by helping with expenses like payroll and benefits, rent and mortgage, utilities, insurance, PPE, and other ordinary and necessary business expenses.

Commenting on Akin Gump’s efforts in helping NIVA secure this crucial relief, Adam Hartke, owner of The Cotillion and WAVE in Wichita, Kansas, and co-chair of NIVA’s Advocacy Committee, said, “Without Akin Gump’s belief in our cause and advice on how to get this done, we could never have gotten the Save Our Stages Act passed. They fought for us like they were us. The entire industry will forever owe them a debt of gratitude.”

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The Akin Gump team advising NIVA was led by senior policy advisor Casey Higgins and partner Ed Pagano. Earlier this year, Ms. Higgins and Mr. Pagano, along with public law and policy practice co-head Brian Pomper, were named as among Billboard’s “Top Music Industry Lawyers” for their efforts in representing NIVA in securing passage of the Save Our Stages Act. Click here to learn more.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1945, the firm is proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2020. #AkinGump75

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