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Resources for Businesses & Non-profits Impacted by COVID-19
CARES Act Grant for Manufacturers
The Arizona Commerce Authority's Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (AZ MEP) announced they are accepting applications from Arizona manufacturers in need of assistance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be used to subsidize services delivered by AZ MEP to help manufacturers overcome the impact of the pandemic. Support is also available to assist companies that are producing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies in response to COVID-19. Applications can be submitted online.
Dollars for Dreams Business Microloan
The Sustainable Economic Development Initiative (SEDI) helps realize the dreams of Flagstaff start-up, existing, and home-based businesses lacking access to small amounts of capital by providing up to $15,000 in initial financing and helping them establish and learn about credit.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses and U.S. agricultural businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Interest rates are 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits.
Local First Arizona
The Arizona Economic Recovery Center aims to enable more Arizona cities, towns, counties and nonprofits to win competitive grants. An initiative of Local First Arizona, The Center provides pro bono resources to qualifying entities that can increase community capacity, improve collaboration, and assist with managing grant-related projects, including:
- Researching and simplifying available grants and stimulus opportunities
- Community and project facilitation
- Project Management
- Capacity Building
- Strategic Planning
- Technical Assistance
- Accounting
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended on May 31, 2021. Existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established through the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act to provide over $16 billion in economic relief to target industries. The SVOG application is slated to open April 8, 2021.
Private Grants
- The Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance is offering micro-grants. Please email Terry or email Tess for more details
Other Resources
For a comprehensive overview of resources available, please see the Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act (PDF). Additional resources made available by recent federal legislation include an Employee Retention Tax Credit, a Small Business Exception to the FFCRA, and debt relief.
Arizona Small Business Boot Camp & Collective
In partnership with Local First Arizona and a dynamic group of community leaders, the Arizona Commerce Authority is hosting online sessions to help Arizona's small businesses respond to the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, plan ahead and return stronger. Join local business leaders and subject matter experts as we discuss resources across Arizona in live, daily sessions. View the session schedule.
Basic Business Empowerment
Basic Business Empowerment (BBE) is a business development plan training program for Coconino County Residents. It is offered through a 9-week online platform. Read more about the program and apply online.
Enhanced Food Handler's Certification
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) have partnered to create a new COVID Aware Enhanced Food Handler's Certification for the local food-service industry.
The CCHHS Enhanced Food Handler's Certification represents the most current health guidance directly related to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in a food-service establishment. The recommended practices stem from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and are designed to increase the safety to guests, employees and our community.
Food-service businesses and employees can complete the program online, free of charge. Following completion businesses will then be listed on the CCHHS website as a Certified COVID Aware Business and be given a certificate to place on a front window to notify patrons that the business is Certified COVID Aware. The display of a COVID Aware certificate indicates that a business is promoting best practices and actively supporting local proclamations and Arizona State Executive Orders. For more information on the certification please visit the County's website.
Shared Work Program
The Arizona Department of Economic Security's Shared Work Program is an innovative solution to adjusting to limited available hours.
Small Business Rehiring and Retention Program
The Small Business Rehiring and Retention Program is designed to assist small, locally owned or operated businesses hire and retain employees. The program will fund up to $10,000 in expenditures for employee hiring/signing bonuses, relocation bonuses for employees that are moving to take an open position, and employee retention bonuses.
An Arizona small business has to meet eligibility requirements to receive funding, including it must be: owned and operated in the state of Arizona; incorporated before January 1, 2020; rent or lease a physical location in Arizona; have between five and 25 total employees that work at the physical location. Eligible businesses in areas impacted by wildfires or floods may have up to 50 employees.
City of Flagstaff Economic Development Offices
The City of Flagstaff Economic Development Offices are a city resource that connects businesses and employees to relevant information and programs to help them overcome challenges they may be facing due to COVID-19. Please contact John Saltonstall via email or at 928-213-2966 for more information.
Coconino County Economic Development Offices
These offices share information on programs that assist businesses and the labor force in adjusting to new conditions created by COVID-19. Please contact Chris Pasterz via email or at 928-679-7134 for more information.
Please also see general information on Coconino County resources for business owners.
City of Flagstaff
The City of Flagstaff Economic Development Offices also work to provide information and programs to assist arts, culture and community science organizations to adjust and navigate conditions caused by COVID-19. Please contact Eliza Kretzmann via email or at 928-213-2969 (please leave a voicemail to receive a callback) for more information.
Additional Resources
- Artwork Archive has developed a list of financial relief resources for artists during COVID-19.
- Americans for the Arts has created a COVID-19 Resources and Response Center.
- The National Endowment for the Arts has established a list of resources for artists and arts organizations.
- The Flagstaff Arts Council provides grants to local non-profits.
- The Craft Futures Fund will support craft communities throughout the United States and their creative responses to COVID-19. These one-time, unrestricted grants of $5,000 will be disbursed to craft-based education projects that seed resilience, foster community, and amplify impact.