Leaders from the local entertainment industry joined Senator Charles Schumer on Tuesday outside the Palace Theatre, calling for federal assistance as pandemic-related restrictions continue to deplete the industry’s income.

According to a survey conducted by the National Independent Venue Association, 90 percent of venue owners say they will close their doors permanently.

The last show at the Palace was March 8. Since then, the theatre has lost $3 million in revenue, furloughed more than 80 employees, and laid off nearly half of its full-time staff.

In Washington, Schumer is pushing for the “Save Our Stages Act” to be included in the next coronavirus relief bill. The bipartisan proposal would create a new $10 billion Small Business Administration program which would provide up to $12 million to qualified struggling venues.

The arts and entertainment industry and its impact on local economies makes this an even more urgent matter.

“Our theatre alone is responsible for over $10 million in ancillary spending,” said Bill Piskutz, the Palace Theatre’s executive director, “over 3,700 hotel stays, as well as welcome more than 185,000 people to our capital city.”

.@SenSchumer wants Save Our Stages Act included in the next #coronavirus relief bill. Says the country will lose $9B if venues remain closed.

The legislation would create a a new $10B Small business Administration program to provide up to $12M grants to venues.@SPECNewsAlbany

— Spencer Conlin (@SpencerReports) September 8, 2020

The senator says he’s optimistic a deal will be struck on Save Our Stages in the next few weeks.

“The economic toll that COVID-19 has had on businesses like Palace will be insurmountable,” he said. “They will not be able to overcome it unless they get a lifeline of federal dollars.”