In April 2021, Indiana announced a new grant program to support the state’s hospitality and entertainment industries that have been disproportionately impacted throughout the pandemic and largely excluded from other government assistance programs. The Indiana Hospitality & Entertainment Grant program is designed to help accelerate economic recovery activity by reimbursing certain expenses incurred during and related to the global pandemic.
Please read through all grant details, eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions below before applying.
Grant Details
Entertainment venues, promoters, and hospitality businesses that meet the eligibility requirements can apply for reimbursement for qualified business incurred between March 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021.
Only expenses that have been incurred may be submitted. You may not submit forward-looking statements or anticipated costs. If you are approved and receive grant funding, but do not reach the $1 million maximum award, you may reapply to submit additional expenses incurred since first applying.
Reimbursements for expenses may be awarded up to $100,000 for each month during that period. Reimbursements may not exceed $1 million total for each eligible venue, promoter, or business.
Eligible businesses may apply for grant funding to cover qualified expenses incurred at their Indiana operations, such as payroll, insurance premiums, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and safety investments. These expenses may be reimbursed up to 80% for non-payroll expenses and up to 100% for payroll expenses.
The deadline for applying is Dec. 31, 2021. Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply and submit expenses for reimbursement as soon as possible; grants will be issued in the order in which applications are received until funding is exhausted or until the program expires.
Eligibility Requirements
Registered Indiana businesses and venues must:
Have been established prior to Oct. 1, 2019
Be registered to operate in Indiana and must be seeking reimbursement for expenses related only to their Indiana operations.
Be in good standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue or have entered into a payment plan approved by the Indiana Department of Revenue.
Have been profitable and have had between $10 million and $35 million in revenue (Gross Receipts or Sales) in 2019; profitability is determined by EBITDA
Demonstrate a monthly gross revenue loss of at least 60% compared to the same month in 2019 (e.g. July 2020 compared to July 2019).
Have had fewer than 500 full-time employees in 2019.
Still be operating in Indiana.
Be an entertainment venue, promoter, or hospitality businesses as defined by the following NAICS Codes:721110 Hotels & Motels
711310 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities
711320 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities
711110 Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters
512131 Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins)
512132 Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters
Note: Please use the primary NAICS code used on your tax return.
Eligible Expenses
May be reimbursed up to 100%:
Payroll
May be reimbursed up to 80%:
Insurance premiums
Rent or mortgage payments
Lease payments for real or personal property
Utilities
Safety investments
Please Note: Expenses covered by another CARES Act-supported program such as PPP, EIDL, or from a local government entity (CDBG) may not also be reimbursed by this grant. Funding received from other CARES Act programs, with exception of EIDL Loans, will be added to a business' revenue and may impact eligibility or reimbursement in impacted months.
For full information and to apply, click here.
