Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees comprise 94 percent of all businesses in the city of Phoenix. The continuing Covid-19 health emergency put those businesses on a footing to adapt and reinvent operations to survive. Helping companies move from survival to resurgence is the mission of a new website published by the city of Phoenix. The Phoenix Small Business Toolbox brings together the city’s small business resources into one site and connects company owners and managers with the city, its partners and assistance programs.
“Phoenix cares about its small businesses,” said Kate Gallego, Mayor, City of Phoenix. “When we saw this opportunity to create a social media platform to provide more resources for our businesses, we jumped at the chance to bring them PHXbizConnect. Small businesses are so important to the economic success of our families and our city. With this Phoenix-centered social media platform, it’s one more chance for businesses to know there are all kinds of help available for them.”
“We created HUUB in the middle of the pandemic to address the incredible need to better support business owners. PHXbizConnect is the version just for Phoenix-based businesses,” added Jenny Poon, Founder and CED, Co+Hoots, developers of HUUB. “Other cities, including Mesa and Gilbert, also run HUUB for their businesses.”
The Phoenix Small Business Toolbox contains:
- The Phoenix Small Business Toolbox and its two new robust business-support portals are available in English and Spanish
- Links to dozens of no-cost small business support services offered across seven city departments
- A free-to-join hyperlocal digital resource and community platform, PHXbizConnect by HUUB, to post, participate and follow discussions with other Phoenix small businesses. Co+Hoots created this portal for Phoenix and other cities (link: https:phoenix.myhuub.com)
- On PHXbizConnect by HUUB, a library of on-demand training courses covering a wide range of business-related topics.
- With myBizPHX by SizeUp, free access to hard data down to zip code level for business plans, expansion, new site selection, finding customers, loan applications and investor prospectuses and much more. (link: https://www.phoenix.gov/SmallBusinessToolbox/mybizphx)
- Business marketing, social media and promotional tips for Covid challenges
- Phoenix Small Biz Hotline, 602-262-5040 connecting to real people in TeamPHX during regular city business hours. Direct email: TeamPHX@Phoenix.gov (link: mailto:teamphx@phoenix.gov)
- The 2021 Version of the Phoenix Small Business Guides and Checklist in English and Spanish
- Access to human resource support services to assist businesses with recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training and retaining workforce. In the event a company faces layoffs, Phoenix can help with outplacement and new job training for affected employees
