Governor Doug Ducey announced $5 million in additional funding for the Back to Work Small Business Rehiring and Retention program to further assist small businesses as they continue to recover from economic consequences of the pandemic. “Arizona’s economy is booming and jobs are exploding all across the state,” said Governor Ducey. “Now, our small businesses and their … [More]

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has lifted their federal mask mandate. Masks are optional and no longer required for riders or employees of the Valley Metro system. The CDC continues to recommend masks in indoor public transportation settings. Phoenix Public Transit Centers … [More]

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) released its Equity Action Plan for ensuring its programming and policies reach a larger and more diverse audience. The plan acknowledges that inclusive growth is good economics and it works to incorporate equity into every stream of work at the Commerce Department. Earlier this year, the Department updated its mission statement to better … [More]

  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) made an historic announcement on the significance and impact of the SBA’s Equity Action Plan, released alongside equity plans from over 90 federal agencies as part of a coordinated effort by the Biden-Harris Administration to center equity across the federal government. “The SBA’s Equity Action Plan reaffirms our … [More]

After a successful first year, the Small Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP) pilot will continue through 2024, which is the completion of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub and Northwest Extension Phase II light rail projects. In its first year, the SBFAP granted over $360,000 to 62 businesses impacted by construction. As the program enters its second funding … [More]

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced the launch of America’s Seed Fund Startup Expo 2022, a new initiative aimed at identifying innovative startups and supporting them with resources to help them scale, grow, and thrive. This competition comes in the midst of a historic … [More]

The U.S. Small Business Administration issued four final rules to modify revenues-based small business size standards in 16 North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sectors that will increase small business eligibility for SBA’s federal contracting and loan programs for approximately 59,000 additional firms. The final rules are part of the second five-year review … [More]