Three local arts and entertainment organizations received some much-needed relief in the form of federal grants in early August.
The Indoor Operator Grants, administered by the Small Business Administration, were awarded to the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association, the Midwest Central Railroad and the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center.
The Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association received a $677,687 grant, while the Midwest Central Railroad received $109,849. Fairfield Arts & Convention Center received $208,604.
The leaders of the organizations all agreed that the grants give them some breathing room.
“One of the few places in Iowa where you can experience the sights and smells of history come alive, the Midwest Central Railroad closed in 2020 with no sources of income and mounting debt,” said Midwest Central Railroad CEO Matt Crull. “As a result of this grant, our organization is able to move the needle forward and continue to provide one of the best examples of steam railroads here in Southeast Iowa.”
Midwest Old Threshers CEO Terry McWilliams said the grants provide a lifeline to entertainment venues and museums “to keep the heat and the lights on, the staff employed and the ability to deal with the pandemic.”
“Old Threshers understands the impact our events contribute to the tourism and entertainment industry in Henry County and Southeast Iowa,” said McWilliams. “We are grateful for this grant to our club, partially reducing the loss of income from 2020.”
McWilliams said the two organizations lost more than $1 million in combined revenue due to the forced cancellation of their major events last year.
He said they needed to cut costs where they could to get through the pandemic.
“We put off a lot of things we were going to do, a lot of projects,” McWilliams said. “We've had some support from people who always donate to Old Threshers every year. People were more generous than normal.”
Crull said the grant process was a challenge.
“The whole process was incredibly arduous,” Crull said. “There were things in the application process that were not clearly explained.
“We had a small typo that wasn't clearly explained how to put it in and it delayed our disbursement for three weeks until we got it all fixed.”
Lindsay Bauer, executive director of the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, had a similar experience with the process.
“It was an interesting process trying to apply,” Bauer said. “Everything was delayed and delayed and delayed. Then the notifications got delayed. It was the only thing anyone was talking about in the arts industry.”
He said the pandemic has dealt a severe blow to the arts and entertainment industry.
“We were the first to close and the last to reopen,” Bauer said. “The ripple effects are still there. We still have to cancel events and postpone and refund tickets as this continues to be delayed.
“Being able to count on this support which is specifically aimed at making sure we can pay our staff and continue to operate at a healthy level is an absolute lifesaver for us.”
He said the agency has lost nearly $500,000 in revenue due to the pandemic and the grant will help offset some of those losses.
“We're not worried that we can't invest in an artist or an event,” Bauer said. “It gives us the confidence to move forward.
“We don't need to be so risk averse. We don't need to go into a state of emergency.”
The Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association received a federal grant to help cover some pandemic-related losses. (Photo courtesy of Midwest Old Threshers Reunion)
People stand in a restored caboose on display at the Midwest Central Railroad, a collection of steam locomotives in Mount Pleasant. (Photos courtesy Midwest Old Threshers Reunion)
The Fairfield Arts & Convention Center received an operator grant to close the venue to help cover nearly $500,000 in lost revenue due to the pandemic. (file photo)
