On February 5, 2021, U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) filed the Gym Mitigation and Survival Act (GYMS Act) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacting health and fitness facilities around the country. Most of Congress’s previous economic relief packages have either left out or not really helped the fitness industry.
If passed, the GYMS Act will create a $30 billion fund to provide grants to affected businesses in the health and fitness industry.
Initial grant amounts are capped at 45% of the facility’s 2019 revenue, or $20 million, whichever is less. Severely impacted health and fitness businesses, with revenues of only 33% or less in the most recent quarter as compared to 2019, are eligible for a supplemental grant, of up to 25% of their initial grant. The aggregate amount of grants to eligible businesses and their affiliates is $25 million.
Eligible expenses that the grant will cover include but are not limited to:
- payroll costs
- rent or mortgage payments, including interest
- utilities
- interest on debt accrued before February 15, 2020,
- worker protection expenditures
IHRSA is supporting and helping guide this effort. They have an amazing dashboard to assist with the outreach.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Use this email template to reach out to your members and employees.
- Send a letter to your local representative.
- Spread the word! Share this information on social media to reach as many people as possible.
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