Payne Arena (Courtesy Photo)
The city of Hidalgo will be receiving a $7.5 million grant for the Payne Arena, which was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez said in a news release.
Hidalgo has been awarded the Shutter Venue Operators Grant of $7,523,373.75 for the arena. The grant is funded by the Small Business Administration after Congress passed the Save Our Stages Act in 2020.
“Our community venues were some of the hardest hit as we battled COVID-19,” Gonzalez, D-McAllen, said in the release. “I am proud that the City of Hidalgo will be receiving this funding to make up for what was lost.”
The bipartisan Save Our Stages Act provided the SBA grants for independent live music venues, live performance organizations and motion picture theaters that were affected by stay-at-home orders. The grant provides the financial support necessary to keep the venues afloat and pay employees.
Hidalgo submitted an application for the federal grant funds in 2021 but were deemed unqualified until later that fall when U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Gonzalez advocated on behalf of the city.
After further review, the city of Hidalgo was awarded the funds.
“Thanks to Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Vicente Gonzalez for a job well done,” Hidalgo Mayor Sergio Coronado said in the release. “We would not have been able to get it done without the assistance of our federal representatives.”
Hidalgo City Manager Julian J. Gonzalez added that the Payne Arena will continue to provide “top level” entertainment for the Rio Grande Valley.
