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American Rescue Plan Act: Small and Independent Community Movie Theater Program (ARPA)

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American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA):
Small and Independent Community Movie Theater Program

The Small and Independent Community Movie Theaters Program is administered by Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency. Business Oregon has been allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds for the purpose of supporting small and independent community movie theaters negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will provide up to $5 million in grant assistance to qualifying movie theaters that have experienced or are experiencing financial hardships directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Please review all available documentation on this page as well as the FAQs prior to contacting program staff.

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The application period for this program in now closed. The Award Recipient list is now available. 

​To apply for these funds, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Theater must be an indoor movie theater whose primary operation is the regular exhibition of motion pictures to the general public, typically for a fee. 
  • National movie theater chains are not eligible to apply.  
  • Theater and screens must have been in operation and open to the general public for at least one year prior to March 3, 2020 to be eligible.
  • The Theater is currently open or the Business Owner intends to reopen the Theater by December 31, 2022.
  • Theater must have been closed to the general public for any period of time on or after March 3, 2020 as a result of the health restrictions related to COVID-19.​
​At the time of the application deadline, all applicant organizations must: 
  • Have an active organization registration for the Theater operation with the State of Oregon’s Secretary of State; 
  • Provide Theater services that take place within the State of Oregon; 
  • Be headquartered in Oregon, meaning having a centralized office location where a company's management and key staff operate and oversee overall business activities;
  • Have proof of economic loss for the Theater due to COVID-19 (through tax returns or Profit and Loss Statements); and 
  • The organization’s Theater must have been in operation for a minimum of one year prior to March 3, 2020. 
Eligible Business Owners may apply for:
$40,000 per venue
Additional funding for each additional Theater screen beyond one, based on remaining funds available

Business Oregon will develop an award allocation formula based on the total number of eligible movie venues and screens.

​When and How do I Apply?

The application period will open at 8:00 am on January 24, 2022. All applications for funding must be received no later than 11:59 pm on February 9, 2022​. You can subscribe to our email updates to be notified of any updates.

The application can be accessed online once the program is open. 

To access the online application form you will first be asked to create an account with a username and password. The application form will take you through a series of questions screen by screen; at certain points you must upload additional documentation including your W9 and relevant tax and/or financial information. (See below for a list of documents)

Business Oregon will notify applicants if they have been selected and will review additional information for accuracy and compliance with the program. Upon completion of a successful compliance review, Business Oregon will mail a check to the applicant.

Please Note: the check will be mailed to the address listed on your W9. Please be sure that the address on your W9 is a valid mailing address for your organization.

What Will be Needed for the Application? 
The application must be completed via an online form - you will need a valid email address in order to create an account. 
Applicants must also have an active organization registration with the State of Oregon's Secretary of State's corporation division. You can check your organization's status and renew your registration if necessary at: Secretary of State - Corporation Division.

In addition to questions on the application regarding your organization and theater location(s) applicants must be prepared to submit the following required documents:
  1. Signed IRS Form W9. You can only include one W-9 form with your application so in the event you own multiple theater venues with unique employer identification numbers (EIN) you will need to submit separate applications. ​
  2. For-profit applicants: copies of signed 2019 and 2020 tax returns. In addition, if the applying organization has multiple theater venues, they must submit separate Profit & Loss Statements for each individual venue.
  3. Non-profit applicants: copies of signed, financial documents for 2019 and 2020 (e.g. Profit & Loss Statements, form 990). In addition, if the applying organization has multiple theater venues, they must submit separate Profit & Loss Statements for each individual venue.
Applicants must upload copies of their 2019 and 2020 tax returns with the specific pages that apply to the gross revenue and, if applicable, any subsequent schedules that substantiate the gross revenue figure as shown on the first page of the tax returns. If no schedules are provided, applicants must submit Profit & Loss Statements that substantiate the gross revenue figure for each location. Applicants must also provide the appropriate page that has been signed by the principal of the company or the CPA.

Applicants must upload all 2019 tax year financial documents as one file and all 2020 tax year financial documents as a separate single file.  For assistance combining PDF files, see this YouTube video​

Please Note: While application materials and award decisions are subject to Public Records Law disclosures, any tax forms or tax information provided in association with this application are exempt from public disclosure and will be kept separately and confidential pursuant to ORS Chapter 192 and other applicable state and federal laws.​

​Application Open: January 24, 2022

Application Close: February 9, 2022

Review Process Complete/Final Status Notification: mid/late March 2022 ( projected)

Contracts Issued to Successful Applicants: mid/late March 2022 (projected)

Funds Released: contingent upon return of fully signed contract to Business Oregon. We expect to release the majority of funds by early April 2022.


Business Oregon, as a state agency, is unable to provide legal or financial advice.  The contact information for the Oregon Department of Revenue who can provide a response to that type of question is: