FAQs
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Minnesota Movie Theater Relief Grant Program. New information will be added as it becomes available. Please check back frequently.
How does the applicant determine the percentage decrease in overall sales from 2019 to 2020?
*Overall Sales includes all revenue at the movie theater location from April 1 to September 30 in 2019 versus April 1 to September 30 in 2020. For the purposes of this grant, all revenue in Q2 and Q3 2020 should include deferred revenue as long as the revenue was realized by December 31, 2020.
How can the applicant verify if the business has any Minnesota tax liens against it with the Minnesota Office of Secretary of State (OSS)?
A person can look up tax liens by visiting the Secretary of State website.
How are grant amounts determined?
The total allowable grant funds for the program depends on the number of applicants for this program and the Convention Center Relief Grant Program. The State intents to award multiple grant agreements and awards will be based on upon qualifying responsive and responsible application(s).
Eligible businesses that are movie theaters shall receive a grant of up to $15,000 per screen for each of the first two (2) screens in the theater and a grant of up to $10,000 per screen for each additional screen in the theater, with no theater receiving a total grant of more than $150,000.
What are the grant funds be used for?
Grant funds must be used for the operating expenses of the Minnesota location that qualified for the grant.
What are acceptable operating expenses?
Acceptable operating expenses include but are not limited to:
- Property Taxes
- Insurance Costs
- Legal Fees
- Payroll
- Rent
- Utilities
- Repairs to the existing building and equipment.
Can grant funds be used for purchasing new equipment?
No, the funds should be used for normal operating expenses and generally can't be used for the purchasing of equipment. Please submit any questions about this topic to deed.mtrg@state.mn.us.
If the applicant has multiple locations, do they need a separate application for each?
Only if the applicant uses a unique operating entity (EIN) for each location. Each EIN entity will require a separate application.
If they use the same operating entity, only one (1) application would be required and additional information will be needed for each location including theater names, addresses, number of screens, and sales information.
Does the theater owner need to be headquartered in Minnesota?
No, however the physical location of the theater needs to be in Minnesota and the grant funds need to be used for operating expenses incurred at that specific location.
What if the theater opened in January 2020?
The theater needs to have at least $15,000 in ticket sales in 2019 to be potentially eligible.
Are drive-in movie theaters eligible to apply?
No, only indoor movie theaters are eligible to apply.
Who should apply if the building is owned by one entity and operated by another?
The applicant should be the one who meets all the eligibility requirement, such as who had at least $15,000 in ticket sales in 2019.
Can grant funds be used to reimburse for previously incurred costs?
Yes, if the reimbursement is for repayment for operating expenses that were incurred at an eligible movie theater located in Minnesota starting from March 16, 2020.
How long will it take for me to receive the funds?
DEED will be accepting applications during the month of January 2021. All grant applications will be reviewed in January and February 2021. Awards will be announced in February and eligible movie theaters will be receive funds once and award has been made and a grant agreement has been signed by all parties.
How long will grant funds be available?
Grant funds are available until exhausted or April 1, 2021, whichever occurs first.
