Amid COVID-19 Shut-downs, Corps Agrees to Rent Abatement For Marina Concessionaires

Not long after the shutdowns in various states started occurring, the Kentucky Marine Association and Tennessee Marine Association sent a  request to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking for rent abatement for concessionaires in order to help these small businesses survive the economic issues caused by COVID-19. Many of these marinas were closed as part of state shut-down orders, and tourism has dropped dramatically causing economic hardships for the concessionaires on area reservoirs and rivers.

The Corps acknowledged that lessees and local operators at the Corps facilities have been financially impacted and announced concessionaires will not be required to pay rental payments for the next 90 days (through mid-July). At the end of 90 days, the director of real estate for the Corps will analyze the situation to determine if an extension on the payment abatement is needed. The Corps will examine gross receipts, visitation numbers, current economic conditions, equitable treatment, loss of revenue payments to local governments and the federal government, and the public interest.