Indiana announces $30 million grant program for hotels, entertainment venues

The state on Tuesday announced a $30 million grant program designed to support Hoosier hotels, entertainment venues and promoters by reimbursing eligible expenses incurred during or related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indiana Hospitality & Entertainment Grant program is intended to help those “largely excluded from other government assistance programs,” the state said.

Qualified recipients could receive up to $100,000 per month with a cap of $1 million in total per business.

Eligible businesses are hotels and motels; promoters of performing arts, sports and similar events, with or without facilities; theater companies and dinner theaters; motion picture theaters; and drive-in motion picture theaters.

Expenses incurred at Indiana operations from March 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2021, are eligible for reimbursement.

Qualified expenses include payroll–which may be reimbursed up to 100%–and non-payroll expenses, such as insurance premiums, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, lease payments, and safety investments–which may be reimbursed up to 80%.

Businesses must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

• established prior to Oct. 1, 2019;
• be in good standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue or have a DOR-approved payment plan;
• had fewer than 500 full-time employees in 2019;
• profitable in 2019 (determined by EBITDA);
• had between $10 million and $35 million (gross receipts or sales) in revenue in 2019;
• demonstrate a monthly gross revenue loss of at least 60% compared to 2019 revenues.

Applications, additional details and instruction are available at backontrack.in.gov. Businesses may apply until Dec. 31, but are encouraged to apply and submit expenses for reimbursement as soon as possible, as grants will be issued in the order they are received until funding is exhausted

“This new grant program is yet another resource that will help Hoosier businesses weather the financial impacts of the pandemic and prepare to welcome back guests and visitors in the months to come,” Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said in written remarks. “Together, we will strengthen the Hoosier Hospitality our great state is known for.”