The Mission

Last Spring our community bridged the financial gap as we awaited funding from a our PPP Loan keeping us alive. This provided The Mission the opportunity to continue paying Paige her salary, covering overhead cost, including taxes. As the summer progressed we did receive $6,000 in a PPP Loan that SHOULD be forgiven. We also received an EIDL loan (not forgiven) we used to continue paying the aforementioned costs and “remodeling”. Some of our efforts were needed after being open 10 years, but mostly we attempted to provide social distancing options and surfaces we could sufficiently sanitize. We procured and provided masks, hand sanitizer and took temperatures at the door when we reopened at the end of July. Within 3 days, a patron and dear friend began his battle with the coronavirus. We honored a few contracted shows and made the difficult decision that in spite of our efforts and the loan we strapped ourselves with, there was no way to socially distance inside The Mission effectively.

“The Mission: To bring quality live music to Jefferson City in a clean, safe environment.” That was our mission in 2009 and it still is today. Who would have ever thought “safe” would take on this much weight and varying connotations? We move forward in the Light of Hope….

In August, we were approved for another SBA Grant. The nuts and bolts of the program were not presented to us until November when we submitted our invoices for reimbursement. These federal funds are coming from the original CARES Act and although we’ve been approved, all our documents accepted, the funds do not have to be released until 12/30/20.  The Missouri Department of Economic Development has been an invaluable resource during this difficult time.

What is safe? We made our decision and struggled in silence with regards to The Mission for many months. “Safe” also means walking through our doors and being free from tension, bitterness and divisiveness. We could not in good conscience guarantee your “safety” from such assaults. The Mission is a place for everybody to share air and connect through music. Our stage remained silent.

As a vaccine is made available to front line health care workers, law enforcement and eventually the general public, we feel this responsibility will shift from our shoulders. As this happens, we begin our plans for reopening this Spring. We’d love to believe Congress will provide the needed funding to get us there…….but…….

JTown has kept us going for months and we have no intention of letting you down. We’ve managed to pay Paige every pay period, on our website shop, we’ve continued to provide shirts, masks, direct donations and gift certificates. I did not want to start another GoFundMe. But, the reality is we have NO IDEA what Congress will do….if anything or when…again.

We understand many in our community believe we should just open our doors. It is not a belief we share and after Rona’s personal visit to our home.