In just one month, Local First Arizona was able to raise over one million dollars through the Small Business Relief Fund, providing immediate aid to 400 microenterprises thanks to the outpouring support from Arizona’s largest businesses and community nonprofits. LFA predicted federal help would be slow to trickle in and “unbankable” businesses would be left in the dust in the … [More]
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Local First Arizona Raises Over $1 Million in Grants for Arizona’s Smallest Businesses
Local First Arizona
$500,000 for Arizona Food Banks to Fight Hunger
Rick McCartney
With Arizona food banks experiencing a spike in demand, Governor Doug Ducey announced a $500,000 grant from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund for Arizona food banks to help fight hunger. Member organizations that are part of the Association of Arizona Food Banks/Arizona Food Bank, which is receiving the grant, supply a network of nearly 1,000 food pantries and organizations in all … [More]
SBA Issues New Regulations for Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration today published Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting program regulations that will provide a free, online certification and eligibility application process for women-owned small businesses and economically-disadvantaged women-owned small businesses. The timeline for implementation of changes to SBA’s WOSB program has been … [More]
Business Philanthropy Group Offers $50,000 Grant through Innovation Pitch Competition
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Nonprofits and early-stage businesses in Greater Phoenix that have pivoted to address COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for a $50,000 grant provided by the Pakis Center for Business Philanthropy at the Arizona Community Foundation. A selection committee will determine the final four companies. These businesses will then be invited to participate in a digital pitch competition on … [More]
Stay at Home Order Ends May 15, Replaced with New Priorities
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
The Stay at Home order in Arizona will be ending on May 15 and replaced by new guidance for the next stage of economic recovery. The new guidance aligns with gating criteria issued by the White House and Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and aims to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 resurgence, protect vulnerable populations, and guide the reopening of businesses … [More]
Healthcare Provider Contributes $25,000 to Local Small Business Relief Fund
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) recently contributed $25,000 to Local First Arizona to assist with grant funding for its Small Business Relief Fund (SBRF). This program provides immediate assistance to small businesses across Arizona that have been significantly impacted by the economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Local First Arizona is the … [More]
Consumer Price Index Plunges 0.8 Percent, Core Falls 0.4 Percent
The Center for Economic and Policy Research
The overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.8 percent in April, driven again by large price declines in sectors that were hit hard by pandemic-related shutdowns. Gas prices fell 20.6 percent, following a drop of 10.5 percent in March. They are now 32.0 percent below their year-ago level. Apparel prices had an extraordinary 4.7 percent decline, following a drop of 2.0 percent … [More]
More Than $8 Million Donated for Arizona Coronavirus Relief Efforts
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
More than $8.2 million has been donated to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund to support COVID-19 relief efforts. The fund was established as part of the Arizona Together Initiative, supporting Arizonans during the COVID-19 outbreak and connecting individuals and businesses to needed resources. More than $175,000 of the total donation amount is from private citizens. … [More]
Wellness Programs Take on New Importance
XpertHR
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic began having an impact on employee wellbeing, employee wellness programs - originally introduced in the '80s to promote physical health - had begun shifting to more holistic programs focusing on mental health, work/life balance, fitness, and financial security. Today, these wellness initiatives are fairly common, as over six in 10 organizations … [More]
Contributions Assist in Initial Main St. Matters Grant Program Launched to Help Small Business
Rick McCartney
In times of uncertainty, working together for a common cause will have an impact. Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest recognized the immediate need to support small businesses during the current crisis and called upon local partners to support their mission. With generous donations from Desert Financial Credit Union and Optima Tax Relief, BBB Pacific Southwest … [More]
PPE for Offices as Group Helps Companies Prepare for Return to the Workplace
Top Value PPE
Top Value PPE announced today that it is launching its e-commerce website at TopValuePPE.com to supply masks and other PPE to businesses of all sizes across the country to help them provide an additional level of protection to their employees as they return to the workplace. Top Value PPE aims to supply commercial customers with top quality products at the best possible … [More]
The Great ‘Arizona Testing Blitz’ in Second Weekend
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
Arizonans can access COVID-19 testing tomorrow, Saturday, May 9 at more than 40 locations across the state as part of the Arizona Testing Blitz. Both drive-through and onsite testing will be available. Arizonans can find the nearest testing location and hours of operation as well as pre-register by visiting azhealth.gov/TestingBlitz. Testing is available to anyone who thinks … [More]
East Valley Chambers Release Third COVID-19 Business Impact Report
East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance
The East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA) released today the findings from the third survey of a series conducted of its more than 5,000 members to determine the status of funding and rent relief options. The report includes responses from nineteen industry sectors and nearly 75 percent of respondents represent businesses with less than 20 employees. It should be … [More]
Commercial Leases in the Age of COVID-19
by Courtney Beller, Jim Bond & Chris Gooch
As a result of the economic collapse relating to COVID-19, many tenants failed to make their monthly rent payments that were due at the beginning of April. With the calendar turning over to May, a new wave of tenants have now missed their monthly rent payments that were due at the beginning of May. What options does this leave for a landlord? Finding Creative … [More]
EN NEGOCIOS: Cómo crear un plan de regreso al trabajo para sus trabajadores
by Edgar R. Olivo
Ahora más que nunca, los empleados esperarán que sus empleadores implementen políticas para garantizar que estén trabajando en entornos más saludables en un mundo posterior a Covid. La buena noticia es que crear un plan no necesita ser complicado ni costoso, pero requerirá que los empleadores piensen profundamente en esto cuando vuelvan a abrir sus puertas a sus trabajadores y … [More]
Unemployment Rate at 14.7%, U.S. Lost a Record 20.5 Million Jobs in April. Worst since 1940
U.S. Department of Labor
Total nonfarm payroll employment fell by 20.5 million in April, and the unemployment rate rose to 14.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The changes in these measures reflect the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it. Employment fell sharply in all major industry sectors, with particularly heavy job losses in leisure … [More]
Dental Benefits Provider Extends Relief for Customers
Delta Dental of Arizona
Recognizing that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for businesses, Delta Dental of Arizona, the state’s top-rated dental insurance company announced plans to provide a 25% premium credit to its fully-insured group dental clients. The move provides more than $3 million in relief to more than 2,900 companies statewide. “Due to the … [More]
3.17 Million Jobless Claims Last Week, Adding to Wave of Coronavirus Layoffs
U.S. Department of Labor
In the week ending May 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 3,169,000, a decrease of 677,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 7,000 from 3,839,000 to 3,846,000. The 4-week moving average was 4,173,500, a decrease of 861,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was … [More]
