City of Tempe awards $1.2 million in grants
to small businesses to help them, employees
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To help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Tempe awarded $1.2 million in grants last week to about 183 Tempe-based businesses. Nearly 230 businesses applied for funds.
The hospitality industry, one of the hardest-hit sectors of the economy, received the highest percentage of funding - 47%. Health care and social assistance was the second highest, receiving 13%.
The average grant amount was $6,880, with 26% of awards going to minority-owned businesses and 31% of the awards to women-owned businesses. Some of the owners are both women and minorities.
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Stormy Dodge and her business partner (and mother-in-law) Rox Dodge own Rocket-a-Go Go, a funky rockabilly clothing shop in Danelle Plaza at Mill and Southern avenues. The two received one of the small business grants. Not only is the family business women-owned, but Rox is Hispanic and Native American, making it minority-owned as well.
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"It was such a sign of relief when we found out we got the grant," Stormy said. "This means job security for our employees and will allow us to consider expanding our business into the space adjacent to ours. That could mean hiring additional people in the future."
The intention of these grants is to provide businesses money to meet their expenses so they can retain or hire staff. Businesses could apply for up to $10,000 in funding. Awards were based on $1,300 per full-time employee up to a maximum of $10,000, whichever amount was less.
"The support from Tempe has been incredible. The City has been great, but also, people have been rallying around the idea of shopping local and supporting neighborhood businesses. That has been so important to our business these last few months," Stormy said.
The Tempe Small Business Grant Program is one of several programs designed to help Tempe's neighborhood businesses. The City offers free safety supplies for businesses with under 100 employees, has enacted a free extension of premises program, allows additional signage and banners without a permit and more. See all the current programs at tempe.gov/Small Business or contact jill_buschbacher@tempe.gov.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Kris Baxter-Ging
City of Tempe
Public Information Officer
480-250-5198
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About the City of Tempe
Tempe makes waves as a technology and business magnet, an inclusive, caring community and a hub for recreation and adventure. Visit us.
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