February 23. 2021: FedEx Small Business Grant Contest Enter from February 23 to March 9
January 13, 2021: Critical COVID-19 Resources for your Business and Employees
- Information on getting tested for COVID-19 in Arizona – Sonora Quest
- Arizona Commerce Authority resources for business
- Supporting your business in an uncertain economic climate – Polsinelli
- Understanding your business insurance policies – Polsinelli
- Coronavirus employer guide – Lockton
- Federal update on paid leave and health care mandates – Lockton
- Coronavirus and its impact on the market – Lockton
January 12, 2021: Recorded Webinars for Businesses – Snell & Wilmer:
Employment 101 During a Pandemic
Managing Business Needs During a Pandemic
Managing Business Needs During a Pandemic pt. 2
December 22, 2020 – New Guide to COVID-19 Loans
The U.S. Chamber has created a new Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans to provide you and your members with the latest information and answers to FAQs about the changes that have been made to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Program as part of the end-of-year pandemic relief package Congress has passed.
Safest Outside Restaurant Assistance Program (SORAP) – Read More
October 21, 2020 – Phoenix RISE Microbusiness Grant
Small, neighborhood businesses are the backbone of our community, but they have been hit hard by COVID-19. The City of Phoenix is mobilizing $2 million of federal funds to be equitably distributed as grants to microenterprises – businesses that have up to five employees. This funding is reserved for business owners in low-or moderate-income households. Eligible businesses can receive up to $10,000 to help keep them operating during this difficult time. The City of Phoenix has contracted with LISC Phoenix to administer the fund and application process.
August 13, 2020 – ARIZONA SMALL BUSINESS RENT AND MORTGAGE RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM.
The Arizona Governor’s Office is partnering with the Local First Arizona Foundation to launch this grant program and help small businesses specifically mandated to pause operations due to the pandemic. Businesses include gyms, fitness centers and studios, bars, water parks and others. Applications open the week of August 17. APPLY HERE
August 13, 2020 – GROWTH PARTNERS ARIZONA SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS LOAN
Small Business Success Loans are for small businesses that need to borrow larger loan amounts for growth and expansion, equipment, long-term working capital, tenant improvements and consolidation of more expensive debt. This loan ranges from $10,000 – $75,000 with terms from six months to five years. APPLY HERE
August 13, 2020 – ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE CUSTOMER SUPPORT FUND
Arizona Public Service (APS) has set up a Customer Support Fund to assist customers who need help paying their APS bills. Small business and residential customers who are past due on their APS bill can qualify for the fund if they have an unexpected loss of income, higher medical or childcare expenses, or other financial hardship created by the COVID-19 virus. To apply, call 602-371-7171 (800-253-9405), weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm. More information HERE
August 11, 2020 – ADHS Requirements for: Indoor Gyms & Fitness Centers | Restaurants & Bars Providing Dine-In Service | Bars & Nightclubs
CARES ACT Readiness Program – If you’re a small business needing help navigating through the CARES Act to access capital, this program is designed specifically for you. HERE
July 6, 2020 – Notice: Paycheck Protection Program has reopened. If you missed the first round you can now apply HERE
July 29 – Phoenix makes $14M available for small business resiliency grants At this time the Restaurant Restart Resiliency Grant and the Microbusiness Resiliency Grant are open and live. Take time to review the application requirements and if you qualify, apply as soon as possible. https://www.azfoundation.org/
July 7, 2020 – The Maricopa County Small Business Relief Program will be accepting grant applications beginning July 9. For more information about the program including application materials and requirements: www.azfoundation.org/MaricopaRelief
June 30, 2020 – Read the new Executive orders : Protecting Public Health For Students And Teachers, Pausing Of Arizona’s Reopening — Slowing The Spread Of COVID-19, Renewal Of Executive Order 2020-27: The “Good Samaritan” Order
Gov. Doug Ducey’s Guidance: Restaurants | Barbers & Cosmetologists | Retail Establishments, Gyms and Fitness Providers, Spas & Massage Therapy, Pools, Places of Worship
Arizona Department of Health Requirements: For All Businesses, For Restaurants
Arizona Restaurant Association Guidelines HERE
Maricopa County Employer Resources, FAQ and Guidelines HERE
6/19/2020 UPDATED: Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
6/4/2020 The Senate passed H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, by voice vote. Read More
5/29/2020 House passes bill to ease small business emergency loan rules – Read More
5/21/2020 This morning, the U.S. Chamber published a new Paycheck Protection Program Guide to Forgiveness. This document provides businesses with an easy to understand explanation of what they need to do to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans. Click here to download the guide. Please note, this guide will be updated as new guidance is issued by the Dept. of the Treasury.
5/12/2020 DES Announces Pandemic Unemployment Assistance System to Launch May 12- New Partnership With Outside Vendor To Expedite Program Launch HERE
5/18/2020 SBA and Treasury Release Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application – Apply for PPP loan forgiveness HERE
Path Forward
A program from the U.S. Chamber Foundation, is designed to help business and community leaders find the answers they need to develop a responsible reopening strategy.
When will it be safe to reopen? How do we protect employees and customers from the coronavirus? Where will my staff get COVID-19 tests? Masks? Gloves? Who’s going to pay for all this? Each episode features conversations between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark and experts with practical recommendations for businesses of all sizes.
5/6/2020 -Notice: New Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Advance- Read More Here
The EIDL portal has reopened to provide access to businesses that applied early in the old portal. Businesses that applied in the old portal and have an application number that begins with the “2” can reapply.
Link to EIDL application: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/
SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE LOANS AND CARES ( Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) ACT
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act expands the Small Business Administration’s long-standing Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). The EIDL program was created to assist businesses, renters, and homeowners located in regions affected by declared disasters.
The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 21, 2020.
- NEW – Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
- SBA Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources Overview HERE
- Arizona businesses impacted by COVID-19 may apply for the loan here. The SBA recommends applying immediately.
- Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
- List of qualified SBA lenders in Arizona; Click HERE
- Check your loan status HERE
- Contact SCORE to find a mentor to help you through this process HERE
- Contact The Arizona Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to guide you through this process HERE
Additional SBA resources include:
SBA Export Working Capital Program – small businesses can apply for a loan to support their export operations
SBA Lender Match – this SBA tool can be used by small businesses to match with SBA approved lenders through this portal.
IRS BUSINESS TAX ASSISTANCE
BANKING INDUSTRY HELP
Nearly all financial institutions serving US consumers and small businesses have enacted policies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. In addition to the following, Forbes maintains a comprehensive list of the policies and has committed to updating the page as developments arise.
Contact your bank or credit card company for their policy
OTHER LOANS ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS DURING COVID-19
Growth Partners Arizona is offering two loan programs for Arizona small businesses affected by COVID-19 — Kiva Tucson and the Small Business Success Loans — both of which offer flexible rates and terms for qualified borrowers. Loan amounts can range from $1,000 to $75,000. Details can be found here. For further assistance, contacts 520-382-9218 or info@growthpartnersaz.org.
AVAILABLE GRANTS
The Arizona COVID-19 Community Response Fund will support Arizona nonprofit organizations as they respond to the spread of COVID-19. More information can be found HERE.
LFA’s Small Business Relief Fund – Apply HERE
Arizona Commission on the Arts- Emergency Relief Grants for Arizona Artists and Arts Professionals HERE
EMPLOYER RESOURCES FOR CHILDCARE
In partnership with the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Governor Ducey announced emergency operational funding to support youth impacted by COVID-19 school closures. The state funding will enable Boys & Girls Clubs in Arizona to extend program hours from 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM and provide kids with breakfast and lunch at no additional cost to its members. This will help accommodate children of health care workers, while encouraging and leveraging private donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.
The DES Child Care Administration provides assistance to eligible families in need so they can continue education or employment while ensuring a safe environment. Learn more HERE.