NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Venues in Massachusetts that had to draw their curtains due to the pandemic can now get a helping hand.

Congressman Jim McGovern announced $16 billion in grant money from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan will benefit shuttered venues nationwide.

Recipients can use the money for payroll, rent, utilities, and worker protection expenditures.

The Academy of Music is hoping to secure some funding so they’ll be ready to roll when they hopefully open in the fall.

Executive Director of the Academy of Music Debray J’Anthony said there were technical glitches when they tried to apply through the SBA’s website, but they hope they could be selected for those funds, “If we are so lucky to receive funds, we are planning on using them for rebuilding the organization and that is restaffing and restocking.”

She’s talking about restocking the concessions stands. They had to toss out all that food because they’ve been shut down for more than a year. However, her hope is that if Massachusetts residents continue to get their shots and cases go down, they could be hosting events starting September.