Lyon Video’s VCS Crewing Division Supports Workforce During Challenging Times

Lyon Video’s Video Crew Services (VCS) crewing division has secured more than $1 million in funding through the Small Business Administration’s PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan to hire back the Ohio television-production crew that are W2 employees of VCS who were laid off when major-league sports were canceled due to the coronavirus. In addition, VCS will be responsible for $80,000, the company’s portion of the Federal Unemployment, Social Security, and Medicare taxes, which will not be forgiven under the PPP loan.

“We are currently in the process of implementing this program to Video Crew Services,” says Lyon Video GM Stacia Fritchie. “There are no words to describe how thankful we are to facilitate this for the Ohio market. We hope these funds can provide relief to our local crew who have been affected financially by this health crisis.”

As a small business with fewer than 500 employees, Lyon Video and subsidiary VCS were able to qualify for the PPP loan program. Payments to crew members are scheduled to begin on May 15. They will have the option to continue unemployment if it is preferable for their personal financial situation.

In addition, Video Crew Services will provide training for employees and be testing systems to prepare for the restart of live event production. This is a great time to enhance our crews’ expertise as we get prepared for the major-league–sports season.

“I can’t tell you how much this means to me. It’s completely unexpected and really has blown me away,” says VCS crew member Jon Beard. “My huge thanks [go out] to all at Lyon for making this happen. It brings a little reality back to this mess. Makes me feel valued, and the loss doesn’t hurt as much. It’s the most and only true sense of closure I’ve experienced since this all started.”

Says crew member Rebecca Kentosh, “Thankfully, companies like Lyon Video are dedicated to navigating the federal PPP requirements successfully. These payments are keeping households and industries and, therefore, our country afloat. Lyon has once again stepped up and done the tedious and hard work needed to provide service to its teams and clients, demonstrating that, in fact, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work.’”

 

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