The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined 5.5 points in December to 95.9, falling below the average Index value since 1973 of 98. Nine of the 10 Index components declined and only one improved. Owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months declined 24 points to a net negative 16%. “This month’s drop in small business optimism is historically very … [More]
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1.1 Million Paycheck Protection Program Loans Forgiven So Far Totaling More Than $100 Billion
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration has already forgiven more than 1.1 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for over $100 billion, providing an extraordinary amount of critical relief to America’s small businesses just 3 months since the earliest PPP borrowers’ covered periods ended. “Today’s news is a key indicator that the PPP is working for all small … [More]
U.S. Consumer Prices Increase in December
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in December on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.2 percent in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.4 percent before seasonal adjustment. The seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index was … [More]
Business Organizations Advise ‘Prioritize State Recovery over Partisan Politics this Session’
inbusinessPHX.com
In a joint statement Monday, several influential business leadership organizations came together to urge our state legislators to act in the best interest of Arizonans and focus on recovery - not partisan politics - as we open the 55th Legislative session. In a statement released Monday, the leadership organizations made it clear that they support a strong effort to recover … [More]
Governor Ducey Delivers State of the State Address, Outlines 2021 Priorities
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
Governor Doug Ducey today delivered the State of the State address in a live broadcast to the opening session of the 55th Arizona state legislature and the people of Arizona. The Governor outlined his vision for 2021, focusing on the continued fight against COVID-19, the distribution of the vaccine, prioritizing K-12 education, creating jobs and helping Arizonans who have been … [More]
SBA Re-Opens PPP in Two Phases
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal Monday at 9 am ET. SBA is continuing its dedicated commitment to underserved small businesses and to addressing potential access to capital barriers by initially granting PPP access exclusively to community financial institutions … [More]
Great News for Minority-Owned Businesses: How to Qualify for the New Pandemic Relief
by Edgar R. Olivo
Good news for minority-owned small business has arrived with a new round of pandemic relief funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Congress has approved $284 billion in new loans. Availability started Monday, January 11, 2021, for first-time borrowers and will start on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, for second-time PPP borrowers. The PPP … [More]
EN NEGOCIOS: Buenas noticias para empresas de propiedad de minoría: Cómo calificar para el nuevo alivio pandémico
por Edgar R. Olivo
Las buenas noticias para las pequeñas empresas de propiedad de minorías han llegado con una nueva ronda de fondos de ayuda pandémica para el Programa de Protección de Pago y Préstamos por Desastre por Lesiones Económicas. El Congreso aprobó $284 mil millones en nuevos préstamos. La disponibilidad comienza el lunes 11 de enero de 2021 para los prestatarios por primera vez y el … [More]
Registration Available for the State’s First 24/7 COVID-19 Vaccination Site at State Farm Stadium
Arizona Department of Health Services
Registration is open beginning at 9 a.m. for the state’s first 24/7 COVID-19 vaccination site at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, with the first appointments available beginning Tuesday, Jan. 12, for health care workers, first responders, teachers, law enforcement officers, Arizonans over age 75 and others at the top of the priority list for vaccine distribution. The launch of … [More]
SBA Extends Crucial Lifeline to Borrowers Impacted by COVID-19 with Debt Relief
U.S. Small Business Administration
As the U.S. Small Business Administration continues implementation of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza made the following statement in regards to Section 325: “Small business is big business in America, and this Administration will continue to … [More]
Arizona One of the First States to Begin Issuing New $300 COVID-19 Relief Unemployment Funds
Arizona Department of Economic Security
Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) announced today Arizona is one of the first states in the nation to distribute an additional $300 per week benefit to unemployed Arizonans under the recently-passed federal COVID-19 relief legislation. “The team at the Arizona Department of Economic Security has worked tirelessly to scale up their … [More]
COVID-19 STORIES: A Downtown Phoenix Pivot Is Building Back Our Creative Community
by Mike Hunter
Always meant to be a place unlike anywhere Phoenicians had experienced downtown, The Pemberton PHX was an ever-evolving idea born from an understanding that out of challenge and hardship can come creativity, collaboration and a strong will to do things differently. Then the pandemic hit. Only an initial setback, the creativity began re-emerging when it was clear that a space … [More]
BREAKING: SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January … [More]
Federal Transit Administration Allocates $49.5 Million to Northwest Extension Phase II Project
Valley Metro
The Federal Transit Administration announced the second allocation of grant funding for the Northwest Extension Phase II rail project. In addition to its first allocation, the project has now been allocated a total of $100 million in federal Capital Investment Grant (CIG) funds. Construction on the extension, which will include the system’s first elevated station, began in … [More]
Jobs Report: U.S. Lost 140,000 Jobs in December, the First Decline since April
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 140,000 in December, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The decline in payroll employment reflects the recent increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and efforts to contain the pandemic. In December, job losses in leisure and hospitality and in private … [More]
Despite Growing Healthcare and Economic Concerns, Education Remains Top Priority among Arizona Voters
Expect More Arizona
Education remains the number one issue among Arizona voters for the sixth consecutive year, according to a recent poll of 600 likely voters. The survey was conducted Dec. 8-12, 2020 by HighGround, Inc. on behalf of Expect More Arizona. Education issues (28%) topped Healthcare (18%) and Jobs/Economy (16%) as the top issue facing our state, even among those respondents without … [More]
U.S. Jobless Claims Fall Slightly, as New Year Begins
U.S. Department of Labor
In the week ending January 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 787,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 3,000 from 787,000 to 790,000. The 4-week moving average was 818,750, a decrease of 18,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up … [More]
Tech-Powered Real Estate Brokerage Expands to Phoenix
Redfin
RedfinNow announced it has launched in the Phoenix metro area, giving homeowners a convenient new way to sell. RedfinNow is the iBuying service from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. Sellers can request a cash offer for their home directly from RedfinNow and sell without the hassle of fixing up their homes or clearing out for open houses and private … [More]
