Senator Carper Announces Legislation to Help Save Live Music Venues and Theatres in Milton

MILTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) visited the historic Milton Theatre to highlight legislation he introduced with U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), the Entertainments New Credit Opportunity for Relief & Economic Sustainability (ENCORES) Act, which will help small, live music venues survive the pandemic.

With the live music industry shuttered across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic, this legislation, which was introduced in July, will help to make sure small, independent music and entertainment venues can survive until crowds can gather safely again. The bill will create a new tax credit for live entertainment venues with fewer than 500 employees to help cover the cost of refunded tickets for shows that were canceled due to the pandemic.

“These venues are truly special places that have, for generations, provided our families with priceless memories,” said Senator Carper. “It’s on us to do what we can to support this industry now so that we can come out on the other side of this pandemic and ensure that this will not be the day the music died.”

Milton Theatre Director Fred Munzert joined Senator Carper to discuss how the pandemic has affected the town’s more than a century-old theater, that last year hosted 60,000 people at 300 shows, and how this legislation can help it recoup some of its losses. 

“History tells us that for every challenging time, the arts persist and comes back even stronger. Art is one of the first things people look to when regaining their sense of normalcy,” said Milton Theatre Director Fred Munzert. “In these incredibly challenging times, live art will be the voice of peace and hope. Keeping our local venues alive and well must be part of our plan as we create a new world for all to enjoy.