Phoenix City Council unanimously approved the allocation of nearly $18 million dollars of federal COVID-19 funding to support vulnerable populations in the community. According to Mayor Kate Gallego, the money will be used to combat homelessness, address housing insecurity, and provide micro-loans and grants for local small businesses and non-profits. This vote represents the … [More]

To help struggling local businesses during this unprecedented time, the City of Tempe and Desert Financial Credit Union have developed a first of its kind program for Tempe-based companies, creating the $1 million Tempe Small Business Emergency Loan Program. Tempe businesses that employ between 5 and 50 people may be eligible for microloans of between $5,000 and $20,000. The … [More]

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) announced the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) authorized DES to provide Arizona P-EBT Pandemic School Meal Replacement Benefits to households with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. There are nearly 600,000 students receiving free or reduced-price school meals in Arizona, including 186,000 … [More]

Last Tuesday, the Phoenix IDA, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, opened a $2 million grant program known as the Phoenix COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant. Due to the demand and significant response for these grants, the application is now closed. Submitted applications are being reviewed and it is expected grants will be awarded in the coming weeks to a minimum of 200 … [More]

The fastest way for someone to get their stimulus money is by direct deposit.  That can only happen if the government has their banking information.  If it doesn’t, any stimulus check will take weeks – perhaps months – to arrive by mail as a check. The IRS has made two web portals available so that individuals whose banking information is not on file with the agency can get … [More]

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza issued the following statement regarding the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: “The SBA has processed more than 14 years’ worth of loans in less than 14 days.  The Paycheck Protection Program is saving millions of jobs and … [More]

On Thursday, April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced additional financing solutions up to $2.3 trillion in loans to support organizations, banks as well as state and local governments. One solution in particular, the Main Street Lending Program will ensure that financial credit continues to be a source for small and mid-sized organizations. The Main Street Lending … [More]

There is a new $10,000 grant to help with financial relief for small and very small businesses. Companies located within the city of Phoenix can apply for a Small Business Relief Grant of up to $10,000 from the Phoenix IDA in coordination with the City of Phoenix. “Small business owners are hurting, and we’re offering assistance to businesses to keep employees working and … [More]

Governor Doug Ducey announced that Arizonans currently receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be able to use benefits for online food purchases with currently-authorized SNAP online retailers, Walmart and Amazon. This change will help limit social interaction for Arizona’s most vulnerable while ensuring SNAP recipients … [More]

FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” today announced a comprehensive effort to help those impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic, including the launch of its customer assistance program, increased compensation for on-site employees, and continued support of Arizona Gives Day and its newly created Nonprofit Emergency … [More]

Governor Doug Ducey announced $2 million in funding to put 400 Arizona Goodwill employees back to work and expand support and services to Arizonans in need. The funding is part of a $50 million COVID-19 relief package passed by the Legislature and signed into law last month by the Governor. “Goodwill is a beacon of hope for countless Arizonans across our state,” said … [More]