Several million dollars worth of federal COVID-19 relief has been awarded to dozens of live event venues in Kansas that were shuttered by the pandemic. Data released Monday shows 90 operators in Kansas received a combined $45.7 million through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program. "These dollars will be significant difference-makers in keeping venues across Kansas open for business," Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a statement. "Venues were especially hard hit by the pandemic, and we strongly support the SBA’s work to get liquidity to those venues that add so much to the rich fabric of their communities, as well as our history and culture statewide."