Good Neighbors Theatre utilizing a $40,000 state grant to complete structural repairs and safety upgrades to its facility to ensure the arts remain accessible.
Board of Directors President Megan Mertsock said the funding comes from the Tennessee Arts Commission Rural Arts Facility Fund. Mertsock said the grant is specifically designed to help rural communities maintain and improve their arts facilities.
“So anytime you get one of those specialty license plates, the additional fee for that goes into their funds enabling them to have grants like this available to facilities like ours in small communities,” Mertsock said.
Mertsock said the theater originally requested more funding but is using the $40,000 for critical needs including emergency exit doors with crash bars, flooring repairs, and replacing exterior siding. Mertsock said the building was constructed in the 1970s and requires consistent upkeep to remain a viable home for the theater company.
“For our little theater company, Good Neighbors Theatre, to have a building and have a home for, you know, all the future years down the road, we have to be able to do this type of repair to it,” Mertsock said. “And so we’re incredibly grateful to receive it.”
Mertsock said the theater operates on an annual budget of approximately $50,000 to $60,000, which covers four standard productions and basic monthly bills. Mertsock said the organization relies heavily on ticket sales and Pickett County business sponsorships, leaving very little funding for major maintenance projects.
“It’s just like owning a home or a boat, when you think you’re getting a little bit ahead, all of a sudden something breaks, like last week we had a water line bust and it’s a couple thousand dollars to track that down and get it fixed,” Mertsock said.
Mertsock said the current renovations include replacing old carpeting with luxury vinyl flooring to make the high-traffic area easier to clean. Mertsock said future goals for the facility include interior painting, ceiling repairs, and installing new gutters, signage, and exterior lighting.
“We didn’t have the opportunity or the funds to do repainting, to get the ceiling inside changed out and fixed, so those… that’s kind of our future down the road is to just again keep kind of making improvements, making our theater better and better for everybody to enjoy,” Mertsock said.
Mertsock said the theater serves as a vital community hub that provides exposure to diverse art forms, including craft shows and free concerts, for residents who may not have the means to travel to larger cities. Mertsock said the space allows people to find a sense of belonging among others who share their interests.
“They don’t a lot of times know that they… how much they enjoy something unless you know we bring it to them through our little community theater and expose… give them the opportunity to be exposed to it,” Mertsock said. “So it’s just a really incredible wonderful space that we have there.”
Mertsock said the theater plans to be fully operational again in October following the completion of the current renovation work.
The state fund is supported by the Tennessee Specialty License Plate program.
