There is something unsettling about the silence that has consumed stages and theatres across the country for months now, as hundreds of beloved independent performance venues have been forced to close because of COVID-19.

But that silence also motivated Audrey Fix Schafer to speak up in whatever way she could. She is with the National Independent Venue Association, a group that didn't exist before the pandemic. But as COVID-19 forced the closure of thousands of music venues across the country, this nonprofit began lobbying hard for Congress to help.

After months of waiting, they were finally able to pass the Save Our Stages Act, a bipartisan bill that will send $15 billion in stimulus aid to struggling music venues, theatres and other independent organizations that support the arts.

"The reason this got so much bipartisan support is that these small businesses aren’t just music places, they’re the economic engines of these communities. Our workers just simply can’t work; we would love to have them back, but we’re shuttered," Fix Schafer said.

It's estimated that nearly 12 million people across the country have jobs tied to live events. Research has also shown that for every one dollar you spend when you go to a concert, chances are you're spending another $12 at surrounding businesses.

"It was pretty obvious that if we went dark forever, so would all the businesses around these venues," Fix Schafer added.

From back rent to mortgages to utility bills, the money will be distributed by the Small Business Administration. All of it is music to the ears of some venues, but hundreds of others have already closed permanently.

"This money will enable venue operators to hold on, already hundreds have gone under and will never come back again, once these places shutter forever that’s it," she continued.

But for now, there is some hope on the horizon for this country's shuttered stages as they wait for the music to play once again.

HAMILTON, Ohio — With 15 to 20 concerts each year, many of them free, RiversEdge is becoming a popular attraction for the city of Hamilton.

"I think it's already proven to be a good investment," said Adam Helms, director of the city's Resident Services Department and promoter for the RiversEdge concert series. "With the Marcum Apartments across the street now and Marcum Park right behind us it's beautiful. The live music has really helped Hamilton grow."

But Helms said the venue's physical limitation is holding the city back from building on that momentum.

"We had a rain storm come through last week, and literally nothing on the stage was dry," he said. "It was all wet."

Hamilton has created a rough sketch of what a new roof for RiversEdge could look like. Helms said it would cost around $800,000 to build and an additional $500,000 to replace its existing sound system.

Both were possible improvements that Helms presented at a special city council meeting last week as officials look for ideas on spending $33 million in federal coronavirus relief money.

"We miss out on some great opportunities," Helms said. "It's hard for us to front the money for the talent or take the risks when the show may or may not happen."

Currently, if a paid show is rained out, the city is stuck paying the bill for the band and refunding tickets.

Helms said a larger roof and bigger stage would protect performers and their equipment. In turn, that would allow RiversEdge to attract big-name acts while avoiding weather issues.

"Hamilton is a great place for acts to come," said Dan Bates, president and CEO of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. "And we're getting more and more larger acts and bigger names, but we still have to, I think, probably court the larger acts."

Bates said bigger shows would mean more people in downtown Hamilton supporting local businesses and perhaps discovering something new.

"Definitely anytime you get people in the downtown area walking around, I think they discover things they had no idea were here and it makes them want to come back," he said.

The city is still gathering ideas and proposals for spending its portion of the federal coronavirus relief money before finalizing any specific projects.