Resources for Businesses & Non-profits Impacted by COVID-19
Arizona Small Business Rent & Mortgage Relief Grant Program
The Governor's Office is partnering with Local First Arizona Foundation to launch the Arizona Small Business Rent and Mortgage Relief Grant program. Applications will open the week of August 17. This partnership, which includes $10 million from the Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund, will provide grants for up to two months of rent or mortgage payments to small businesses such as gyms, fitness centers, bars, and water parks. Grants will be prioritized for businesses with fewer that 50 current employees that are most in need of the funding to meet their rent or mortgage obligations, and do not have access to other financial support. The maximum award will be $25,000.
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.
Main Street Lending Facility
The Federal Reserve established the Main Street Lending Program to enhance support for small and mid-sized businesses that were in good financial standing before the crisis by offering 4-year loans to companies employing up to 15,000 workers or with revenues of less than $5 billion. More information for borrowers can be found online.
Paycheck Protection Program
To apply for PPP loan forgiveness, you will need to fill out an application. The SBA, in consultation with Treasury has released a standard loan forgiveness application for the Paycheck Protection Program, as well as a new EZ application for forgiveness of PPP loans. The applications and instructions are available in the links below:
- Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application (June 16, 2020) (Spanish version)
- Paycheck Protection Program EZ Loan Forgiveness Application (June 16, 2020)
Private Grants
- The Better Business Bureau's Pacific Southwest microgrant program offers $500 to $1,000 to recipients.
- 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, SBA Express Bridge Loans, a Small Business Exception to the FFCRA, and debt relief.
The SBA has also published a list of active SBA lenders (PDF) located in Arizona.
Attestation Form to Reopen
On August 10, the Arizona Department of Health Services released guidelines for an eventual reopening for paused businesses. View the Governor's press release.
These guidelines include public health data benchmarks that will help determine when paused businesses may reopen. The benchmarks classify counties into Minimal, Moderate, and Substantial transmission categories, which will determine how paused businesses may reopen within those counties. This new "COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses (PDF)" provides an overview of what these benchmarks mean for business operations.
Before reopening, businesses in counties with Minimal or Moderate transmission must submit an attestation form stating that they are in compliance. The attestation form must be posted in a visible location in the facility that they comply with newly released, industry-specific guidelines, released today. View the ADHS requirements for each business type, as well as the dashboard for county transmission category (Minimal, Moderate, or Substantial).
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.
Guidance for Various Types of Businesses & Organizations
Governor Doug Ducey has issued guidance for retail businesses (PDF), guidance for restaurants (PDF), guidance for barbers and cosmetologists (PDF), guidance for pools (PDF), guidance for gyms and fitness providers (PDF), guidance for spas (PDF) and guidance for places of worship (PDF) in relation to the Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected executive order.
Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control offer guidance for businesses that can be used to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, including how to reduce transmission among employees, maintain healthy business operations and maintain a healthy work environment.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also issued guidance on safety within food service and food manufacturing during COVID-19.
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.
CARES Act Readiness Program for Small Businesses
This online training program helps small businesses access the capital they need, helping both novice and experienced borrowers successfully access relief funds. The CARES Act Readiness Program for Small Businesses provides this individualized support for free. The program is customized to the business owner's borrowing experience. It provides 2 to 5 online classes that will walk businesses through everything from the basics of finance to submitting loan applications.
The goal is to ensure small businesses in your communities are not only prepared to access the next phase of funds from the CARES Act but have individualized support to apply for loans. View more information on the CARES Act Readiness Program for Small Businesses.
Shared Work Program
The Arizona Department of Economic Security's Shared Work Program is an innovative solution to adjusting to limited available hours.
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 Arizona Commission on the Arts has compiled information and Resources for Arizona's Artists and Arts Sector.
- 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.