Time to empty out the piggy banks to help small businesses. Arizona banks are asking consumers to deposit their spare change at their local bank or coin-cashing machines as the pandemic-related shutdowns has created a coin shortage. When COVID-19 restrictions went into place, establishments like retail shops, bank branches, and laundromats—the typical places where coin … [More]
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Arizona Banks Ask Consumers to Deposit, Use Spare Change Due to Coin Shortage
Arizona Bankers Association
$300,000 in CARES Act Funding to Boost NAU’s Capacity amid Pandemic
U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $300,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, to boost their capacity to support regional economic development strategies in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “The Trump Administration is eager to allocate these essential CARES Act … [More]
Main Street Lending Program Modified to Provide Credit for Nonprofits, Education, Hospitals, and Social Services
Federal Reserve Board
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday modified the Main Street Lending Program to provide greater access to credit for nonprofit organizations such as educational institutions, hospitals, and social service organizations. As detailed in term sheets released today, the Board approved two new loan options to provide support to a broad set of nonprofit organizations that were in … [More]
Ducey Extends COVID-19 Eviction Protections, Expands Rental Assistance Access
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
Governor Doug Ducey signed an Executive Order extending a moratorium on residential evictions until October 31, 2020, providing continued protections for renters who are facing economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. The order ensures renters impacted by COVID-19 will be able to stay in their homes while extending the time to access rental assistance … [More]
Walgreens and DoorDash Delivery Collaboration to Start in Phoenix This Summer
by Mike Hunter
Walgreens and DoorDash, the nation’s leading last-mile logistics platform, announced a new collaboration to offer on-demand delivery to customers in select cities with plans to expand to markets throughout the country. Today, customers in the Chicago, Atlanta and Denver areas can order on-demand delivery from Walgreens through the DoorDash app and website, selecting from an … [More]
Weekly Jobless Claims Up by more than 1 Million, 17th Straight Week
U.S. Department of Labor
In the week ending July 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 1,300,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 4,000 from 1,314,000 to 1,310,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,375,000, a decrease of 60,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was … [More]
New Enhancements to Assist Employees, Employers in Use of Family and Medical Leave
U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) today announced significant steps to streamline optional-use forms that workers can use to request and employers can use to coordinate leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). WHD also published a Request for Information (RFI) in the Federal Register seeking the public’s feedback on the law’s administration … [More]
Old Town Scottsdale to Get First New Hotel in Over a Decade
Canopy by Hilton
There’s a new era on the horizon for Old Town Scottsdale, Ariz. as the team behind the coming-soon Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town announced today that the property is nearing completion and is expected to open its doors in late September, marking what will be the first new-build hotel opening in the area in more than a decade. Designed as a natural extension of … [More]
CDFI Fund Announces More Than $3.5 Billion in New Markets Tax Credits
U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced $3,548,485,000 in New Markets Tax Credits today that will spur investment and economic growth in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide. A total of 76 Community Development Entities (CDEs) were awarded tax credit allocations, made through the calendar year … [More]
Why Small Business Owners Need to Take Cyberattacks More Seriously During the COVID-19 Crisis
by Edgar R. Olivo
Jorge T. is a 69-year-old small-business owner in Arizona whose online shopping has increased due to the pandemic. He regularly goes online to shop for supplies to sell his DIY recreational vehicles. Recently, he shared with me his experience with a phishing scam that he was able to stop in its tracks early. He shared, “I noticed my bank account was charged for strange amounts … [More]
EN NEGOCIOS: Por qué los propietarios de pequeñas empresas necesitan tomar los ataques cibernéticos más en serio durante la crisis de COVID-19
por Edgar R. Olivo
Jorge T. tiene 69 años y es propietario de una pequeña empresa en Arizona, cuyas compras en línea han aumentado debido a la pandemia. Se conecta regularmente en línea para comprar suministros para vender sus vehículos recreativos de bricolaje. Recientemente, compartió conmigo su experiencia con una estafa de suplantación de identidad (phishing) que pudo detener rápidamente. Él … [More]
Small Business Optimism Improves in Anticipation of Better Economic Outlook
NFIB
The Small Business Optimism Index increased 6.2 points in June to 100.6 with eight of the 10 components improving and two declining. Owners anticipate improving sales as the economy continues to re-open with sales expectations rebounding to a net 13% after April’s lowest reading in survey history (a net negative 42%). Small business owners continue to be optimistic about future … [More]
PAID Program Helps Workers and Employers as America Reopens
U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division’s (WHD) Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) Program continues to provide an avenue to get workers the wages they are owed, bring employers into compliance and accomplish both goals with an efficiency that saves taxpayers money, with more than $7 million in back wages found for more than 11,000 … [More]
U.S. Consumer Prices Up More Than Expected in June
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent in June on a seasonally adjusted basis after falling 0.1 percent in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 0.6 percent before seasonal adjustment. The gasoline index rose sharply in June after recent declines and accounted … [More]
First Responders Get Mental Health Support from Crisis Fund
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
Governor Doug Ducey today announced $120,000 for Heal the Hero Foundation, supporting its work to mitigate the mental health impacts facing first responders during COVID-19. Heal the Hero Foundation offers technology-based mental health support—along with community education, research and training—for veterans, first responders and abuse survivors. The foundation also provides … [More]
Campaign amid Pandemic to Promote Workers’ Rights
U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of a public awareness campaign to remind workers that the Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is committed to ensuring their workplace rights during the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure that employers know their responsibilities. WHD’s campaign uses public service announcements in English and Spanish to provide … [More]
SBA Provided $20 Billion to Small Businesses and Nonprofits, EIDL Program to End
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the conclusion and success of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance program, which provided U.S. small businesses, non-profits and agricultural businesses a total of $20 billion in emergency funding. In order to assist the greatest number of small businesses, the EIDL Advance provided $1,000 per employee up to a … [More]
Feed Phoenix Initiative to Feed Underserved Families Launched
Local First Arizona
The city of Phoenix is putting CARES Act dollars to work by bringing high-quality meals to vulnerable populations across the city. The city has contracted Local First Arizona Foundation to recruit local restaurants, farmers, and food entrepreneurs to help prepare these meals in order to sustain local jobs and supply chains, strengthen the local food economy, and most … [More]
