The Nevada County Relief Fund has announced it awarded 25 small businesses up to $5,000 in micro-grants, just hours after many industries were ordered by the state to substantially restrict their operations.

The Del Oro Theatre was among the businesses to make both lists and was forced to shut down Monday after reopening in late June, following just a 16-day showing.

According to Michael LaMarca — vice president of Sierra Theaters, which owns the Del Oro — the shutdown could also create dire consequences for the theater’s future.

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“We might just be shut down temporarily by the governor, but this could have a larger effect in that we might have to be stay shuttered for several months waiting for new product to come out,” LaMarca said.

Because the movie industry is a global business, of which the theater is the “last mile” of many moving parts, the Del Oro is not to able to pivot in the way others may be able to, he said.

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Of particular concern is whether movie studios will hold their releases from theaters, which could be devastating for the theater.

“If movie studios become reluctant, then we don’t have a business,” LaMarca said. “That’s our biggest concern.”

The Del Oro was awarded $5,000 from the Relief Fund, covering its summer electricity bill.

According to LaMarca, as early as this week the theater may reopen its snack bar area to the public. The theater also plans to start a fundraising campaign and is in the early stages of planning an outdoor movie night.

“We’ve been working very hard to explore every possible angle to keep our business alive,” LaMarca said.

More than 100 small businesses applied for the micro-grants, according to release. The fund has raised $447,218 and disbursed $410,000, as of Monday.

For more information or to donate, visit http://www.nevcorelief.org.

John Orona is a Staff Writer for The Union, a sister publication to the Sierra Sun. He can be reached at jorona@theunion.com or 530-477-4229.