The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released a new report today showing the average small business hotel will require additional funding from SBA loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in order to rehire employees or prevent further layoffs and keep their business open. AHLA also sent an urgent letter today to Congress asking for additional funding … [More]
From Labs to Pharmacies, Arizona Testing ‘Blitz’

Arizona is partnering with private sector health care providers and universities to ramp up access to testing. On Friday, Sonora Quest Laboratories announced it will offer antibody testing starting with 1,000 to 3,000 tests per day, and growing from there. In early May, Sonora Quest plans to begin offering antibody testing to consumers without needing a provider’s order or … [More]
Working Remotely, Successfully
After a month of quarantine under the pall of COVID-19, corporate leaders can take an objective look at how their companies are faring remotely. What makes working remotely successful? Companies that invested in the ability for teams to work remotely prior to this pandemic have an edge. Perhaps they already had in place a designated, ongoing channel of communication from … [More]
Arizona Complete Health Supports Community Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people across Arizona are facing challenges that extend beyond medical care and include basic daily needs such as food, internet connectivity, and essential supplies. Centene, a leading multi-national healthcare company, has partnered with various organizations to support efforts that address these social determinants of health. Arizona … [More]
Turf Paradise Owner Donates $1 Million to Support Medical Professionals, Arizonans in Need
Turf Paradise Race Course owner Jerry Simms has personally donated $1 million to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund, established to provide financial support to organizations providing essential aid to those affected by COVID-19. Turf Paradise also recently donated $25,000 worth of food to St. Mary’s Food Bank. “Businesses throughout the state have done tremendous work to help … [More]
Journalists, Researchers and Marketers Navigate the COVID-19 Crisis with ‘Mapping the New Normal’ Insight Product
The biggest cultural and behavioral shifts we have ever witnessed are taking place right now, reshaping societies from the bottom-up. Audience intelligence company Pulsar has launched a free insight product to map these new emerging trends and behaviors. Using its proprietary trend detection AI, Pulsar leverages data from social media, search, news and web analytics to … [More]
Major Gaps on PPP Rules Still Unresolved as 2nd Round of Funding Goes Out
As the second round of Paycheck Protection Program Funding starts up today, Main Street Alliance Executive Director Amanda Ballantyne had this to say: "It is reckless for the Small Business Administration and Treasury Department to release a second round of funding before clarifying the major gaps and issues with the Paycheck Protection Program. The program still lacks clear … [More]
Self-Employed Will See Growth Grant Opportunities with the Help of Dell Corp.
As the coronavirus continues to impact the small business community, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), the nation’s leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-business community, today announced that Dell (NYSE: DELL), an American multinational technology company headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, will sponsor the association’s Growth … [More]
Report: Perceptions of the COVID-19 Work-at-Home Transition
Due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19, the ability to work at home is practically a requirement for much of the world. Many businesses are either shifting or have already shifted their employees to virtual offices; however, this raises a new host of questions. Questions of capability, productivity and quality of work are as important to the new remote workforce as they … [More]
New PPP Lenders added for Arizona Businesses
As businesses prepare their applications for the next round of Payroll Protection Program funding, the Arizona District Office of the SBA would like to share feedback it received today from business owners, which is that the majority of the local lenders on the SBA list are only accepting PPP applications only from existing clients. The Arizona SBA maintains its updated … [More]
Revealing the Pulse on the Small Business Community’s Experience with the COVID-19 Relief Funds
The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) released a survey to our small business community and members to reveal the real challenges that the business owners are experiencing navigating the funding opportunities. ASBA’s survey of the small business community found, Nearly half of our respondents are still confused by the funding opportunities that are available to … [More]
Business Education vs. COVID-19
Coursalytics.com, an executive education marketplace, surveyed faculty members and students from dozens of leading business schools worldwide to identify how they have been impacted by COVID-19. A total of about 100 faculty members from 40 schools in 11 countries shared how they approach the transition to online instruction in the second half of the 2020 Spring … [More]
Tips for PPP Applications – Businesses, Be Ready for Monday
Payroll Protection Program funds are anticipated to go liquid on Monday, and GPEC is urging every small firm in Arizona to prepare their applications and supporting documentation before capital becomes available. Consistency and accuracy are vital in the application process. Errors, inaccuracies or lack of documentation can be the difference between receiving funds and being … [More]
How to Lead during Crisis
As a leader, during COVID-19 (or any crisis) it can be hard to find one’s feet and to feel confident in one’s path. It’s common to feel inadequate, unsure and out of one’s depth. That is to be expected. This is leadership like we have never seen before. So many businesses are closed or trying to find new ways of doing things. I believe almost every organization feels like a … [More]
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Employees Assist with COVID-19 Patient Treatment
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) announced today more than 20 medically qualified employees have volunteered to assist in providing care and treatment to COVID-19 patients in healthcare facilities. The company will support trained healthcare specialists from BCBSAZ and its subsidiary, Health Choice Arizona, in returning to practice as physicians, nurses, and … [More]
Phoenix Public Transit Department to Reduce Bus Service on May 4
As a result of the continued impacts of COVID-19, the city of Phoenix Public Transit Department will reduce bus service (see route list below) beginning May 4. The start of the service day will shift to: • Monday - Friday 5 a.m. • Saturday and Sunday 6 a.m. The following service hours are temporarily eliminated: • Monday - Thursday 11 p.m. to midnight • … [More]
Online Co. Providing Free Wills and Other Important Trust-Related Documents During Pandemic
MyProtectionHero, an online employee benefit provider, has opened its services including wills, trust-related documents, and financial budgeting software, free of charge, to anyone in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve Weber, President and Founder of the company announced today. "We don't make N95 masks or ventilators, and we're not trained healthcare … [More]
House Passes $484B Emergency Relief Package
The House on Thursday passed a potential $484B emergency relief package that provides additional funds for small businesses and expand COVID-19 testing efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic. The measure brings the country’s total coronavirus pandemic response dollars to more than $2.8T and includes $310B in additional funds for the Paycheck Protection Program, $75B for … [More]