By Recker McDowell —
The Coronavirus and its economic impacts are having unprecedented impacts on small businesses, entrepreneurs and independent contractors. Businesses are closed. Jobs are jeopardized. Key industries including tourism and restaurants are being pushed to the brink. The federal economic stimulus program has help for impacted businesses and workers. There are also resources and programs at the state and community levels to help small businesses. We have compiled key links and resources including from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Local First Arizona, the state of Arizona and communities including Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.
U.S. Small Business Administration (Economic Injury Disaster Loans)
The U.S. Small Business Administration has loans available for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Those loans can be for up to $2 million and can be used to pay debts, payrolls and other bills. The SBA has other programs and resources available to impacted businesses. They can be found here. There is also more SBA loan information can here.
Local First Arizona (Small Business Relief Fund)
Local First Arizona has launched a relief fund aimed at helping small business and micro-entrepreneurs (with 0 to 3 employees and less than $250,000 in annual revenue). The fund will help Arizona entrepreneurs with their cash flow because of the shutdown of the economy. You can kind more information and help support the fund here.
Experience Scottsdale (COVID-19 Resources)
Experience Scottsdale has resources and information available for the tourism and hospitality industry including impacted workers and local businesses. The tourism industry is a huge economic driver and tax revenue generator in Scottsdale and statewide. The industry accounts for 192,000 jobs in Arizona and 27,000 jobs in Scottsdale. The $24.4 billion statewide industry is at a standstill due to the Coronavirus. Experience Scottsdale has information and resources here.
Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce (Community Updates)
The Scottsdale Area of Chamber of Commerce has a community update page and is hosting webinars and other events to keep employers and entrepreneurs informed about resources and economic stimulus efforts. The Scottsdale Chamber will host a webinar Monday (March 30th) at 2 p.m. with U.S. Rep. David Schweikert to update local businesses on the federal stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus. You can get more information here.
Arizona Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association (COVID-19 Resources)
The National Restaurant Association and Arizona Restaurant Association have resources available for the impacted industry. Restaurants employ more than 15 million workers nationally. Please check the ARA’s resource page here.
The resources include information on federal economic assistance, industry operations during the Coronavirus and resources made available at the state level.
You can see more information from the National Restaurant Association here.
Arizona Together (State Coronavirus Resources)
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has launched an information and resource portal for small businesses, workers and others impacted by the pandemic and its economic fallout. “As we work to combat the spread of COVID-19, access to resources that can help support families and businesses in this time of need is critical. We’re calling on Arizonans to be informed, get engaged, and support organizations doing important work to keep our communities safe and healthy. Arizona will get through this together,” said Gov. Ducey of the statewide effort. Please check out the state resources page here. The Arizona Commerce Authority also has information for impacted businesses here.
Community, City Resources
Local governments and community groups have launched a programs and resources aimed at helping small businesses, nonprofits, seniors, workers and other grappling with the public health and economic ramifications of the virus. That includes Maricopa County which offers public health and economic impacts of the Coronavirus.
Here is a sampling of those links and other communities have similar resources.