Maricopa County Treasurer, Royce T. Flora announced today that his office is willing to loan the State of Arizona $1 billion dollars to fight the economic damage from the Coronavirus outbreak in Arizona. “The State of Arizona is a COVID-19 hotspot. We are experiencing significant damage to local businesses. Arizona’s Health Care industry needs additional resources for … [More]
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DES Announces Launch of Extended Unemployment Benefits
Arizona Department of Economic Security
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) announced today the 13-week Extended Benefits (EB) period is available for those who have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits as well as the additional 13-week extension provided by Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). Due to the availability of PEUC, most individuals will not yet be … [More]
COVID-19 STORIES: Why Did the Arizona Department of Liquor Force Harold’s Cave Creek Corral to Cease Dine-In Service?
by Danny Piacquadio
As co-owners of Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, that’s the question that my colleagues, Bill and Marie Vale, and I want to know. Since the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. and Arizona in March, our iconic, 84-year-old western restaurant and bar has been overly compliant with all guidelines of the CDC, ADHS, the Arizona Department of Liquor, as well as all state and local … [More]
Hotel Industry Releases Top 5 Requirements to Travel Safely
American Hotel & Lodging Association
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today released the “Safe Stay Guest Checklist” for guests on how to travel safely while also creating a standardized safety experience nationwide. This checklist is part of AHLA’s Safe Stay guidelines, an industry-wide, enhanced set of health and safety protocols designed to provide a safe and clean environment for all hotel … [More]
How Many Small Businesses Have Shuttered So Far?
Alignable.com
Given the ever-changing U.S. COVID-19 crisis, determining the breadth and depth of the impact on small businesses continues to be a challenge. In particular, it’s difficult to accurately gauge exactly how many small businesses have closed, because once they shut their doors for good, the owners can be hard to reach. According to Alignable’s July State Of Small Business … [More]
Streamlined Forgiveness for Smallest PPP Recipients Has Bipartisan Support
Rick McCartney
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin last week indicated he would support a bipartisan effort being led by Sens. Cramer, Menendez, Tillis and Sinema for streamlined forgiveness for Paycheck Protection Program loans for the smallest loan recipients. The most recent coverage on the need for simplified PPP forgiveness for mom-and-pop small businesses is below: A bill that would … [More]
Arizona Banks Ask Consumers to Deposit, Use Spare Change Due to Coin Shortage
Arizona Bankers Association
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]
$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]
