IRS, Treasury Disburse More Economic Impact Payments Under the American Rescue Plan; Total Tops 130M

Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are disbursing several million more payments in the third batch of Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan. This brings the total disbursed so far to more than 130 million payments worth approximately $335 billion. As announced on March 12, … [More]

Arizona Mobilizes Additional Personnel to Meet High Demand at State Vaccine Sites

State of Arizona Office of the Governor

Officials have announced a surge of staffing resources to meet the growing demand for vaccinations at State Farm Stadium and throughout the state. Following the mobilization of additional staff and implementation of other process improvements, wait times at state vaccination sites have been reduced significantly — to under 30 minutes today. “Arizona is deploying all … [More]

COVID-19 Stories: Navajo Woman Business Owner Steps Up to Lead Volunteer Relief Distribution Effort

Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund

Last March, Navajo business owner Vanessa Tullie had just completed construction of a new office space when she responded to a call to join the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund efforts. Based in Phoenix, Ariz., Tullie owns and operates a home care agency, appropriately named Ahehee’ Shidine’e Homecare LLC., which loosely translates to mean, “Thank you, my … [More]

How to Apply for the New SBA Relief Grants for Theaters, Museums and Concert Venues

by Edgar R. Olivo

The Small Business Administration announced that the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program application is slated to open April 8, 2021, to help theatres, museums and concert venues. The SVOG program was established through the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act to provide more than $16 billion in … [More]

Arizona Announces State Fair Returning in 2021

State of Arizona Office of the Governor

The Arizona State Fair Board decided unanimously to temporarily relocate the State Fair to a new, larger and safer location for 2021. The Arizona State Fair is an annual event that draws more than one million guests, and today’s decision will allow the fair to proceed later this year. Last fall, the State Fair was canceled due to COVID-19, prompting an offer from the Gila … [More]

Governor Halts Restrictions on Events, Businesses and Masks

State of Arizona Office of the Governor

With the state of Arizona hitting several important public health benchmarks, Governor Doug Ducey announced several updates to the state’s COVID-19 measures, including on events, businesses and local ordinances. Several key data points contributed to these changes: Mass distribution of the vaccine: 3,041,773 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered to … [More]

Another 37 Million Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan Disbursed

inbusinessPHX.com

The Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are disbursing approximately 37 million payments in the second batch of Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan. This brings the total disbursed payments from the American Rescue Plan to approximately 127 million payments worth approximately $325 … [More]

SBA to Increase Lending Limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans

U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to … [More]

Valley Metro Welcomes First Streetcar Vehicle

Valley Metro

On Monday, March 22, Valley Metro celebrated the arrival of its first vehicle in the Tempe Streetcar fleet. The new streetcar is manufactured by Brookville Equipment Corporation and can transport up to 120 passengers. “We are really excited about the streetcar coming into play in the city of Tempe, particularly to add to our regional infrastructure along with light rail and … [More]

Stimulus: More Economic Impact Payments Set for Disbursement in Coming Days

inbusinessPHX.com

For taxpayers receiving direct deposit, this batch of payments began processing on Friday and will have an official pay date of Wednesday, March 24, with some people seeing these in their accounts earlier, potentially as provisional or pending deposits. A large number of this latest batch of payments will also be mailed, so taxpayers who do not receive a direct deposit by March … [More]

SBA Shares Resources to Support Deaf and Hard of Hearing Entrepreneurs during National Deaf History Month

By Robert J. Blaney, SBA Arizona District Director 

Recently, I read an article about two entrepreneurs who were opening a new restaurant and they laughed at themselves for picking this time to go into business but, in reality, it is a great time to start their journey, especially if they have properly prepared. As the Arizona District Director, I have the pleasure to speak with many entrepreneurs. Last month, we assisted a … [More]

Keeping Work Zones Safe for Drivers, Workers

Arizona Department of Transportation

Ongoing efforts to create safer highway and street work zones for drivers and construction and maintenance workers have received an important boost — the awarding of a federal grant to a coalition of transportation agencies in the Phoenix region. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and Maricopa County Department of … [More]

SBA Launches Portal to Begin Accepting Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applications on April 8

U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching a splash page for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal today in anticipation of opening applications for the much-anticipated critical economic relief program on Thursday, April 8, 2021. “Help is here for venue operators hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA has worked diligently to build the … [More]

CDC Report Gives Arizona High Marks for Covid-19 Vaccination in Areas with High Social Vulnerability

State of Arizona Office of the Governor

A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks Arizona among the best states in the nation for getting the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable communities. The CDC report out today found that Arizona had the third-highest vaccination coverage for high-vulnerability counties as determined by the Social Vulnerability Index, a nationally accepted framework. The … [More]

$15,000 Tax Credit Could Cover Entire Down Payment for Homes in 40 of the 50 Largest U.S Metros

Zillow

A refundable, advanceable tax credit of up to $15,000 for first time homebuyers, similar to the one suggested by President Joe Biden, could catapult millions of renter households into first-time homeownership, a new Zillow® analysis suggests.  While Congress has already passed billions in aid over the past year to provide homeowner and renter relief, housing will remain … [More]

SBA Extends Deferment Period for all Covid-19 EIDL and Other Disaster Loans until 2022

U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022. All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 24-months from the date of the note. All SBA disaster … [More]

More Than 1 Million Arizonans Now Fully Vaccinated against Covid-19

State of Arizona Office of the Governor

More than 1 million Arizonans—approximately one in seven residents—are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services announced today. Arizona is making plans to continue the momentum as temperatures heat up and in anticipation of increased vaccine supply and opening vaccination to everyone 16 and older by May … [More]

Arizona to Provide 765,000 Children with $636 Millionin Pandemic EBT Benefits

Arizona Department of Economic Security

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) announced today the USDA Food and Nutrition Service(FNS) authorized DES to reintroduce Arizona P-EBT Benefits program and provide assistance to households with eligible children. It is estimated over $636 million will be distributed to approximately 765,000 children across the state. … [More]

In Business Dailies

Sign up for a complimentary year of In Business Dailies with a bonus Digital Subscription of In Business Magazine delivered to your inbox each month!

  • Get the day’s Top Stories
  • Relevant In-depth Articles
  • Daily Offers
  • Coming Events