| Governor Signs SB1377 to Protect Arizonans from Frivolous Lawsuits |
| Yesterday Governor Ducey signed legislation to ensure Arizonan businesses acting in good faith during the COVID-19 pandemic are protected against frivolous civil claims. Health care professionals, businesses, schools, nonprofits, governments, religious institutions, and property owners are among the entities to which the legislation applies. The Tempe Chamber supported this measure on behalf of our members and thank Governor Ducey for signing the bill. Read the press release. |
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| 26th Annual Leadership Conference Registration Now Open |
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The Tempe Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Council is proud to present the 2021 Leadership Conference: Leading by Example, presented by Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital. |
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| March Membership Milestones |
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AAA Paint – 2 Years Brock Supply Co. – 39 Years Cassaano & Associates – 3 Years Champion Charter Bus Phoenix – 4 Years Culdesac INC – 2 Years Cultural Affairs @ ASU – 14 Years Desert Financial Credit Union – 2 Years Donor Network of Arizona – 2 Years Elite Auto Repair – 4 Years Embassy Suites of Tempe – 14 Years FastSigns – 20 Years First Transit – 9 Years Friendship Village – 44 Years GOGO Charter Bus Company - 3 Years Holiday Inn Express & Suites – 24 Years Holiday Inn Express PHX/ CHAN– 3 Years Inner Vision Yoga – 2 Years Legalshield – Aneesah Nadir – 8 Years Los Angeles Angels – 16 Years
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Lost Our Home Pet Rescue – 8 Years Maggie’s Place – 3 Years Majestic Mountain Inn – 18 Years Nexa Apartments – 5 Years Northern Trust – 3 Years Padgett Business Services – 30 Years Phoenix Charter Bus Company – 4 Years Phoenix Plastics Productions – 16 Years Phx Sky Harbor International Airport – 20 Years Rango Honey – 2 Years Residence Inn Downtown – 9 Years Rick West State Farm Insurance – 21 Years Rio Salado Foundation – 11 years State Farm – 40 Years Sundt – 3 Years Tempe Community Council – 25 Years TerrainHopper – 3 Years United Dairymen of Arizona – 14 Years Wells Fargo – 55 Years |
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| 2021 Sustainability Summit Recap |
| Thank you to everyone who tuned in and watched the 2021 Sustainability Summit. It is critical now more than ever for businesses to take meaningful action towards climate change. We appreciate our panelists for their insight and expertise. Thank you to this year's sponsorsfor supporting this important event!
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Career Ready Tempe Recognized by ABC15
Career Ready Tempe aims to help prepare and develop Tempe youth to participate in the future workforce by connecting them to college and career readiness support and partnering with Tempe businesses to provide youth with paid internship opportunities in fields that are in-demand. ABC15 News Correspondent, Megan Thompson spoke with Melissa Quillard from the City of Tempe about how the Tempe Chamber Foundation's Career Ready Tempe program is positively impacting our community. Read the article.
Upcoming workshop:
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SBA Announces Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (SVOG)
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that the application portal for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program will open on Thursday, April 8, 2021. This grant program is intended to provide economic relief to live event venues, one of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic. Applicants must first register in order to apply for the grants, which can take several days. SBA also debuted a new splash page through which applicants can stay informed about eligibility requirements and the opening of the portal. View the official announcement HERE. |
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2021 Business Excellence Nominations are Open
We are still accepting nominations for the 2021 Business Excellence Awards. This award identifies and recognizes companies whose practices in business and employee development, community involvement, and customer service exemplify excellence. The recipient will be announced at the 2021 State of the Chamber on June 25, 2021, at 9 am, which will be a live, studio broadcast.
Three finalists will be selected in two categories: one for Small Businesses with 25 employees or less and Large Businesses with 26 employees or more. Nominate a business by April 9, 2021. Nominate a business today! |
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Women in Business Council is Seeking Donations
Women in Business Council is now accepting silent auction items for the 2021 Leadership Conference Online Silent Auction. The event will be held Friday, May 14, 2021. and the online auction will be open from April 30th through May 14th. If your business is interested in donating a prize for the Silent Auction please fill out this form. |
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Capitol Session Statistics as of 3/26/2021 Days: 75 Number of Bills Posted: 1708 Bills Passed: 167 Bills Signed: 126
Governor Doug Ducey issued an Executive Order on Thursday to announce several updates to COVID-19 regulations. Due to mass distribution of the vaccine and other benchmarks, local mask mandates will be phased out.
Friday was the last day to hear bills in the opposite chamber of origin with the exception of the Appropriations Committees. Here are the session deadlines for the House of Representatives and Senate. Lawmakers are expected to begin budget discussions following the completion of committee work next week.
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Deadline Approaching in Arizona for SBA Working Capital Loans Due to Drought
Small nonfarm businesses in 15 Arizona counties may apply for low-interest loans to offset the economic losses due to reduced revenues caused by drought in the following counties: Primary Arizona counties: Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Yavapai; Neighboring Arizona counties: Apache, Coconino, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Santa Cruz and Yuma; Neighboring New Mexico counties: Catron, Grant and Hidalgo. Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Learn more. |
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Q1 Small Business Index: Small Business Owners Indicate a Long Road to Recovery
Last week, the U.S. Chamber and MetLife released the Q1 2021 Small Business Index—a survey of small businesses to take the temperature of the sector, see where small business owners are confident, and where they are experiencing challenges. The Q1 2021 index in particular focused on how the distribution of coronavirus vaccines is influencing the attitudes of small business owners towards the return to normalcy. View the full index HERE. |
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What You Need to Know About Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants
The American Rescue Plan includes long-awaited targeted aid dedicated specifically to the restaurant industry in the form of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund—providing $28.6 billion in grants to restaurants and bars in need. To help restaurant industry members navigate the funding options that are available to them through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, the United States Chamber has created a new guide outlining the five big things restaurants need to know about grant eligibility, how and when to apply, and more. Click here to view the guide. |
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SBA to Increase Lending Limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. Learn more.
Questions about SBA COVID-19 EIDL and disaster loan payments can be emailed to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or directed to SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing). |
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Embry Health Offers Employer Vaccination Events
Embry Health is offering free vaccination events for employers anywhere in the state looking to get their employees vaccinated against Covid-19. Raymond Embry, CEO of Embry Health, said that companies of any size can set up vaccination events, from agencies with 20 employees to those with thousands. Embry Health is currently offering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but the specific vaccine brand is subject to change employees to those with thousands. Embry Health is currently offering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson.
Property management companies are also encouraged to get in touch to schedule vaccination events for tenants, so multiple employers can be serviced at once. Embry said it is typically taking a week or two between setting up an event and the event actually happening. Employers interested in scheduling vaccination events through Embry Health should contact development@embryhealth.com or visit the company's website for more information.
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ASU Gammage Announces 'designspace' a Drive-thru Sensory Experience See one of Arizona State University’s parking garages in a whole new light when designspace takes over the Packard Drive Structure for three weeks this spring! The sensory-rich exhibit created by Lightswitch features design installations from industry professionals at Video West, renowned structural artists HYBYCOZO and ASU's own rising stars in the field – students enrolled in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Learn more and purchase your tickets. |
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New Financial Help Available for Renters
More than 1,500 East Valley renters could receive help with paying rent and/or utility bills this year under a new relief package offered by Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA). TCAA is rolling out a Help With Household Bills campaign benefitting residents of Tempe and Fountain Hills who are struggling financially and at risk of losing their home due to COVID-19 and other factors. Renters and landlords can apply. Funds are made available to the agency through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 which authorized financial rent and utility relief for eligible renters and landlords. Learn more and apply. |
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Your Water, Your Future: How Central Arizona Project Is Helping to Protect Your Investment in Arizona
Central Arizona Project will be hosting its inaugural CAP University session for business leaders on April 21, 2021 at 9 am with presentations from Board President Terry Goddard and General Manager Ted Cooke. The session will include valuable information related to the current status of the Colorado River, how Arizona is prepared for the challenges ahead, and will provide you with information and tools you can use to address questions related to Arizona’s water supply. Register today. |
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Ranking Arizona Puts Davis Miles McGuire Gardner at Number Three Among State’s Largest Law Firms
The growing law firm of Davis Miles McGuire Gardner reached another milestone this spring, ranking third among all large Arizona law firms, according to Ranking Arizona. Learn more. |
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Important Information for Southwest Gas Customers Southwest Gas is transforming their customer information system from the ground up on Monday, May 3, 2021 to provide a fantastic customer experience along with enhanced security. For important information on how this will impact you and the way your account will be serviced, please visit ourwebsite. The site will provide regular updates and tools to help you navigate the new system. |
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City of Tempe COVID-19 Testing & Vaccine Updates
Tempe has two COVID-19 testing locations at Kiwanis Park and Big Surf. The Kiwanis Park location, operated by Embry Health, offers free saliva diagnostic testing. The Big Surf location, operated by Nutrynt, offers free diagnostic testing plus rapid and antibody tests for a fee. Bring your ID and insurance card if you have one. Learn more. |
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Downtown Tempe Authority is Hiring
DTA is an Enhanced Services District that exists to improve the vitality and viability of Downtown Tempe. DTA is seeking to hire a Director of Marketing to help lead downtown Tempe into the next phase of recovery. Learn more. |
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Northern Trust is Hiring
Northern Trust, a preeminent global financial institution is looking to hire for the following openings:
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Crexendo
Crexendo Inc., a full-service cloud communications provider is looking to hire a Cloud Communications Consultant and Channel Account Manager. Learn more and apply HERE. |
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Walker Bookstore Hiring Warehouse Assistant
Walker Bookstore, LLC is looking for people who will grow into a long-term leadership position with the company in a variety of areas. Strong veteran preference in hiring. Apply now. |
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SRP Hiring Residential Customer Care Representatives
At a time when so many need work, Salt River Project is hiring for its award-winning customer care team. The pay is $19.51 per hour and full benefits are available after a three-month training and transition process. Learn more and apply today. |
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The Porch is Hiring for Line Cooks and Dishwashers
Click here to learn how you can apply to work in one of Tempe's newest restaurants. |
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The Centers for Habilitation (TCH)
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Carvana
Carvana has multiple job openings at various locations across Arizona. For more information click here. |
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| Financial News & Resources |
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Tax Filing - IRS Business Updates
- Self-employed individuals can now claim their sick & family leave tax credits due to COVID-19 on the new IRS Form 7202.
- New IRS form available for self-employed individuals to claim COVID-19 sick and family leave tax credits under FFCRA (English & Spanish)
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CO - U.S. Chamber of Commerce Resources for Small Business
U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer, Neil Bradley, and Mike Morello, U.S. Chamber Chief Digital Officer, discuss the new coronavirus relief deal.
COVID-19 has changed what business leadership looks like, now and for the foreseeable future. Smart leaders are adapting their strategies to this new work environment.
Paycheck Protection Program loans have helped many companies make it through COVID-19-related disruptions. Here is what businesses need to do to get their PPP loans forgiven.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans have been a top option for businesses struggling due to COVID-19, but the tax obligations associated with them have been challenging to track and understand. |
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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources
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U.S. Small Business Administration Weekly Loan Clinics
During the first Wednesday of each month, learn about SBA’s lending role and how to prepare a request for capital. This free monthly clinic will help attendees understand credit requirements, interest rates, collateral terms, and amounts available. Click here for more information. |
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RESPOND - PLAN - RETURN STRONGER Webinar Series The Arizona Commerce Authority and Local First Arizona — supported by a dynamic group of community partners — have launched a statewide initiative to help Arizona’s small businesses respond to the immediate impacts of COVID-19, plan for the future and return stronger than before. Over the course of a few months, local business leaders and subject matter experts will provide real-time support and available resources across Arizona in live, virtual sessions to help small businesses return stronger than they entered. |
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| Helpful Business Resources |
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Tempe Chamber of Commerce 1438 W. Broadway Rd. Ste. 213, Tempe AZ 85283 |
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