Theaters, independent cinemas and other venues are now getting a chance to apply for aid to help with pandemic-related losses.

Financial losses are piling up for these businesses because of the COVID-19 shutdown.

The Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown is among an estimated 30,000 venues across the country eligible for the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant that was allocated in the second round of stimulus funding approved in December.

“We have been waiting and we will continue to wait. But it was actually a positive moment,” says Mayo Center CEO Allison Larena. “We felt really good about being able to submit the application and that the application went through. Unlike the first go around.”

The wait has been long for these businesses. There was an attempt to open grand applications more than two weeks ago. But the Small Business Administration’s website crashed.

The grants will dole out $16 billion. Local New Jersey arts centers, theaters or music clubs can get grants of up to $10 million.

More than 6,000 applications were received in the first few hours, according to the SBA. Grants could start being distributed next month.