Northwoods summer camps, movie theaters to receive ARPA funding

For the Star Journal

Several area movie theaters and about a dozen summer camps in Vilas and Oneida counties are on Gov. Tony Evers’ list to receive funding through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Wisconsin Department of Administration is distributing more than $14 million in grants to movie theaters, summer camps and minor league sports teams.

“Summer camps, movie theaters and minor league sports teams are important parts of our communities and our state's economy,” said Gov. Evers. “Unfortunately, like many businesses in our tourism industry, these folks have been hit particularly hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This investment will continue to help fuel our state's recovery and ensure a strong rebound for our local communities.”

Rhinelander’s Rouman Amusement Company is slated to receive $90,000 from the Movie Theater Assistance Grant Program. The funding amounts to approximately $15,000 per screen. This is the second pandemic relief program to assist the movie theater industry in the state, which adds up to $20 million disbursed in total.

The Summer Camp Assistance Grant Program will provide a total of $1.8 million to 37 eligible summer camps to help offset pandemic-related losses. Each camp will receive $50,000. This is the first such grant program for summer camps. Some of the camps that will receive $50,000 are camps Deerhorn and Horseshoe in Rhinelander, Trees for Tomorrow and Camp Nicolet in Eagle River, Red Arrow Camp and Camp Kawaga in Minocqua.

Additionally, $2.8 million will be divided among 17 minor league sports teams across the state.

“We’re proud to work alongside our many partners to make these grants a reality,” said Wisconsin DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “Getting this much-needed assistance to our minor league sports teams, movie theaters, and summer camp operators is an investment in our communities, and an investment in Wisconsin’s strong ongoing recovery.”