MADISON, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — The state of Wisconsin is awarding some $10 million in grant money to 54 movie theaters to assist in COVID-19 related business expenses.
“Wisconsin businesses across industries and communities have felt the strains of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and movie theaters have been particularly hard as they also battle stalled movie production,” said Governor Tony Evers in a press release. “Movie theaters are often a cornerstone of our main street businesses, and I am glad we were able to get these funds out the door to help them keep theirs open.”
Several theaters in Central Wisconsin will receive grants. They are:
- Palace Theatre, Antigo
- Hodag Hospitality Holdings LLC, Eagle River
- Odyssey Entertainment, Inc, Fond du Lac
- FFT LLC, Medford
- The Cosmo Theatre Inc, Merrill
- Marcus Cinemas of Wisconsin- which operates Cedar Creek Cinema in Rothschild and Ho-Chunk Cinema in Tomah
- Roger Cinemas Inc
- Park Theatre LLC, Park Falls
- Rouman Amusement Company, Rhinelander
The grant program is funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
“Movie theaters employ thousands of individuals throughout the state,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “We hope this funding will provide some relief to these institutions in communities large and small so that they can continue to provide Wisconsinites with employment and family memories in the years to come.”
Grant funds can be applied towards pandemic-related operational costs such as facility improvements to provide appropriate social distancing, cleaning and sanitizing, and personnel costs necessary to provide appropriate COVID-19 safeguards.
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