Two weeks ago, the Biden-Harris Administration made several reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to further ensure small businesses get the help they need, especially Mom-and-Pop businesses in underserved communities. Putting equity at the center of its policies and programs, the Biden-Harris Administration launched a comprehensive plan to engage small … [More]
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U.S. Consumer Prices Rise 0.4% in February, as Expected
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.3 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. The gasoline index continued to increase, rising 6.4 percent … [More]
JPMorgan Chase Makes $475,000 Grant to Arizona Hispanic Chamber Foundation to Help Underserved Small Business Owners
inbusinessPHX.com
JPMorgan Chase announced a $475,000 grant for the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (AZHCC) for its implementation of Ascend Phoenix, a program to help grow small businesses owned by Black, Latinx and other underserved entrepreneurs, boost their long-term success and create inclusive economic growth. Ascend Phoenix seeks to assist underserved small businesses by providing … [More]
Small Business Optimism Improves Slightly in February
NFIB
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 95.8 in February, a slight bump from January but still below the 47-year average reading of 98. The NFIB Uncertainty Index decreased five points to 75. “Small business owners worked hard in February to overcome unexpected weather conditions along with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. … [More]
EN NEGOCIOS: 6 formas en que El Plan de Rescate Estadounidense de 2021 ayudará a las pequeñas empresas
por Edgar R. Olivo
El Plan de Rescate Estadounidense de 2021 espera brindar más recursos a las pequeñas empresas con programas de subvenciones nuevos y programas ampliados. El Senado aprobado el plan de alivio del coronavirus de $1.9 billones del presidente Biden el sábado, creando ayuda adicional para las pequeñas empresas estadounidenses. La nueva legislación ahora está siendo revisada por la … [More]
6 Ways the American Rescue Plan of 2021 Will Help Small Businesses
by Edgar R. Olivo
The American Rescue Plan hopes to bring more resources to small businesses with new and expanded grant programs. The Senate approved President Biden's $1.9-trillion coronavirus relief plan Saturday, creating additional aid for American small businesses. The bill is now up for a revote by the House of Representatives with the updated revisions from Congress before it goes to … [More]
Governor Ducey Announces Next Phase of Business and Safety Protocols
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
Governor Doug Ducey today announced the next phase of COVID-19 mitigation. With cases dropping in Arizona, and vaccine distribution underway, it’s still important to keep our guard up, and these protocols reflect that approach. The announcement follows 7 weeks of declining cases in Arizona, and the distribution of more than 2 million vaccines. The following changes are … [More]
Employment Rose by 379K in February, Twice January’s Numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 379,000 in February, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 6.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The labor market continued to reflect the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In February, most of the job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, with smaller gains in temporary help … [More]
Majority of Small Business Owners Reported Hiring or Trying to Hire in February
NFIB
According to NFIB’s monthly jobs report, 56% of small business owners reported hiring or trying to hire in February, up five points from January. A net 18% of owners reported they are planning to create new jobs in the next three months. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the labor market, especially when some parts of Main Street are still closed or restricted due … [More]
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Remain Highest since the Great Depression
U.S. Department of Labor
In the week ending February 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 745,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 6,000 from 730,000 to 736,000. The 4-week moving average was 790,750, a decrease of 16,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised … [More]
City of Phoenix Premieres New Website of Small Business Resources
City of Phoenix
Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees comprise 94 percent of all businesses in the city of Phoenix. The continuing Covid-19 health emergency put those businesses on a footing to adapt and reinvent operations to survive. Helping companies move from survival to resurgence is the mission of a new website published by the city of Phoenix. The Phoenix Small Business Toolbox … [More]
Ducey Issues Executive Order Requiring Schools to Offer In-Person Learning
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
Following discussions with public school leaders, and in accordance with new guidance from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Governor Doug Ducey today issued a new Executive Order returning schools to in-person, teacher-led instruction. According to metrics developed by the CDC, 12 of Arizona’s 15 counties are in phases where all schools are safe to open, … [More]
New Program Offers No-Interest Loans to Small Businesses
BBB Serving the Pacific Southwest
Help has arrived for entrepreneurs in Phoenix to boost their businesses with access to affordable capital. Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest (BBB) has partnered with GoDaddy Inc. (NYSE: GDDY) and the City of Phoenix to launch the Phoenix Kiva Hub, which provides zero percent interest loans to small businesses unable to access traditional capital. The Kiva … [More]
If You Own a Business, You’ve Only Got Days Left to Apply for a Paycheck Protection Loan
by Jennifer Roberts and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
In just four months last year, more than 5 million U.S. businesses received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. That helped them pay their workers, their mortgage or rent, and their utility bills. Unfortunately, many small businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans didn’t get PPP loans last year. We want to make sure you know how to apply for the funding your … [More]
CVS Health to Invest $12.4 Million in Affordable Housing in Phoenix
CVS Health
CVS Health announced it will invest $12.4 million to build 60 new units of affordable housing in south Phoenix and expand the company’s no-cost preventive health screening program, Project Health, in the greater Phoenix area as part of CVS Health’s commitment to provide $600 million over five years to address racial inequity and social determinants of health in Black … [More]
Annual US Home Price Appreciation Reaches Double Digits in January, Says Report
CoreLogic
CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released the CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI™) and HPI Forecast™ for January 2021. 2020 was a landmark year for the housing market. Factors such as record-low mortgage rates encouraged first-time homebuyers to dip their toe into the housing market and allowed home price … [More]
EN NEGOCIOS: Los pronombres importan. 7 estrategias para crear un ambiente de trabajo con inclusión de género
por Edgar R. Olivo
"¿Podrían todos hacer una ronda rápida de presentaciones con su nombre, cargo y pronombres?" Este tipo de solicitud puede parecer rara en la mayoría de los ambientes de trabajo, pero para las empresas que invierten en la inclusión LGBTQ y en lugares de trabajo con inclusión de género, los pronombres se han convertido en un punto central importante. Desde enumerar pronombres en … [More]
Pronouns Matter. 7 Strategies to Create a Gender-Inclusive Workplace
by Edgar R. Olivo
“Can everyone do a quick round of introductions with your name, job title and pronouns?” This request may seem unusual to make in most workplaces, but for companies investing in LGBTQ inclusion and gender-inclusive workplaces, pronouns have become an important central point. From listing pronouns in email signatures to pronoun buttons worn by retail workers, the business … [More]
