The Department of Economic Security (DES) has issued a statement advising Arizona nonprofits that self-insure for unemployment insurance purposes to disregard billing statements requiring full prepayment for unemployment claims until new statements can be issued reflecting Congress-established guidelines removing the full prepayment requirement. Interest on the balances will … [More]
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DES Advises Self-Insuring Arizona Nonprofits to Hold Off Prepaying COVID-19 Impacted Unemployment Claims
Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits
BBB Pacific Southwest Continues to Award Vital Grants to Small Businesses
BBB Serving the Pacific Southwest
As reopening orders slowly come into effect across state lines, businesses continue to face financial strains until some form of normalcy exists. Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest (BBB) has awarded an additional $21,500 through its Main St. Matters Grant Program to businesses experiencing hardship, bringing the total to over $100k granted since its … [More]
Governor Ducey Issues Enhanced Surveillance Advisory to Track the Impact of COVID-19 and Influenza
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
As Arizona prepares for influenza season amid COVID-19, Governor Doug Ducey today issued an Executive Order extending the Enhanced Surveillance Advisory for COVID-19 and adding new influenza reporting requirements for health care facilities. Arizona’s Enhanced Surveillance Advisory, established by Executive Order 2020-13 in March, required hospitals, testing laboratories and … [More]
Small Business Optimism Rebounds, Exceeding Historical Average
NFIB
The NFIB Optimism Index increased 1.4 points in August to 100.2, a reading slightly above the historical 46-year average. Seven of the 10 Index components improved, two declined, and one was unchanged. The NFIB Uncertainty Index increased two points in August to 90, the second-highest reading since 2017. The record reading of 100 was reached in November 2016. “Small … [More]
Low Air Freight Capacity Could Trigger Shipping Delays
SkyPostal
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, total worldwide air traffic in June was down 42% from June of 2019. Also because of the pandemic, total worldwide ecommerce volume for 2020 is expected to be 33% higher than the preceding year. These two trends, notes A.J. Hernandez, President and CEO of SkyPostal, Inc., are on a potential collision course. “The industry needs to address this … [More]
Small Business Labor Market Makes Improvement in August
NFIB
A seasonally adjusted net 21% of small businesses plan to create new jobs in the next three months, according to NFIB’s monthly jobs report. This is up 3 points from July and 20 points above April’s reading, an unprecedented recovery. “The small business labor market is recovering and moving in the right direction,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Small … [More]
The U.S. Added 1.4 Million Jobs in August, Unemployment Rate Fell to 8.4%.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 1.4 million in August, and the unemployment rate fell to 8.4 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. These improvements in the labor market reflect the continued resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it. In August, an increase in … [More]
Alert: ADOR Warns Businesses of Phishing Scammers
Arizona Department of Revenue
The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) urges employers to be cautious of phishing and other email scams. Scammers will disguise themselves in an attempt to access and abuse sensitive data such as passwords, usernames, social security numbers, payment, and credit card information. For example, the W-2 form email phishing scam continues to find unsuspecting victims every … [More]
Phoenix Grant Expansion Lets Hundreds More Small Businesses Apply for Covid-19 Cash
City of Phoenix
More small businesses are now eligible to apply for relief under the Phoenix Small Business Resiliency Grants Program. Previously ineligible companies are now able to seek grants up to $10,000 and commercial city service bill offsets, thanks to action by the Phoenix City Council. The changes modify business longevity requirements and expand the range of Covid-19-impacted … [More]
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Remain High at 881,000
U.S. Department of Labor
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 881,000, a decrease of 130,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 5,000 from 1,006,000 to 1,011,000. The 4-week moving average was 991,750, a decrease of 77,500 from the previous week's revised average. The … [More]
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Deficit for July 2020 Up $10.1 Billion
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $63.6 billion in July, up $10.1 billion from $53.5 billion in June, revised. U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Deficit Deficit: $63.6 Billion +18.9%° Exports: $168.1 Billion +8.1%° Imports: $231.7 … [More]
EN NEGOCIOS: Cómo contratar candidatos para su pequeña empresa en crecimiento durante la pandemia
por Edgar R. Olivo
A pesar de las grandes pérdidas que han experimentado muchas pequeñas empresas desde el inicio de los cierres gubernamentales en marzo, todavía hay grandes señales para aquellos en categorías esenciales que están experimentando la necesidad de contratar a nuevos empleados. Las expectativas de los trabajadores en la era de COVID-19 se han vuelto más claras: los trabajadores … [More]
How to Hire Candidates for Your Growing Small Business during the Pandemic
by Edgar R. Olivo
Despite the major losses many small businesses have experienced since the start of the government shutdowns in March, there are still great signs for those in essential categories who are experiencing the need to hire. Expectations of workers in the age of COVID-19 have become clearer: Workers want to feel safe, valued and given opportunities to grow. This is not a new … [More]
U.S. Department of Labor Awards $646 Million in Employment Service Grants to States
U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor announced the disbursement of $646 million in Employment Service Grants to improve the functioning of the nation’s labor markets by providing labor exchange services to all job seekers and helping businesses to meet their hiring needs by referring qualified workers. The Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, amended by the Workforce Innovation and … [More]
Metro Phoenix AMC Theatres to Open by Friday, September 4
AMC
Moviegoers throughout the United States are once again enjoying the magic of the big screen at AMC Theatres, and with every passing week that magic gets more accessible. By this weekend 70% of all U.S. AMCs will have resumed operations, as AMC will welcome guests at approximately 420 theatres nationwide. AMC will open more than 140 theatres this week, with the vast majority of … [More]
Arizona Gets More Than $2 Million to Combat Unemployment Insurance Fraud
U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $100 million in funding to support state efforts to combat fraud and recover improper payments in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program, including those programs created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. At the same time, the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) … [More]
Executive Order Delaying Expiration of Driver Licenses One Year
State of Arizona Office of the Governor
As Arizona continues to take proactive measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Governor Ducey today issued an Executive Order deferring requirements to renew standard driver licenses that have an expiration date between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 by one year from their original expiration date. This action will minimize in-person visits to Arizona Motor Vehicle … [More]
Changing the Way LLCs Do Business
by Stockton Banfield
Small and mid-sized businesses, the majority of which are limited liability companies (LLCs), are the lifeblood of Arizona’s economy. But the way they are doing business — particularly managing themselves — is changing thanks to new rules governing all LLCs in the state going into effect on Sept. 1. When the Arizona legislature enacted the first Limited Liability Company Act … [More]
