ONLINE PORTAL FOR CRISIS HELP

ONE OF THE earliest and still most frequently asked topics coming into the City and other local government agencies during the current coronavirus crisis is, where can businesses being asked to close down or reduce operations go for relief or assistance?

Luckily, area agencies and the state of Arizona stepped up to quickly create hubs to provide the best information available at this time. Locally, the result is the Economic Resource Portal. Find it at http://www.gyerp.org.

The portal’s purpose is to provide up-to-date information to businesses and workers in the Yuma Region that includes access to:

• SBA and Business Support.

• Federal Stimulus Updates/ Bills, and Support.

• Federal Emergency Leave Provisions.

• Unemployment Benefits.

• Community Support: Food Bank, Utilities, Mortgage and Rent Deferral.

• Bridge Employment Opportunities.

• Job Training Updates.

• IRS Tax Relief.

• International/Bi-National Commerce and Travel.

• Live Support Events.

• Revolving Loan Fund.

• 2-1-1 Emergency Covid-19 Hotline.

BIZ | May-June 2020

• AZ Commerce Authority Updates.

• Arizona Governor’s Executive Orders.

• Heritage Area/State Historic Parks.

• Hospitality and Tourism.

• Primary Contacts.

Additional links to business support programs will be included as Congress and the Arizona Legislature act to provide businesses possible financial and regulatory relief.

The portal is one tool for local businesses and workers to understand the programs and funding in place to keep them afloat and workers paid until the economy stabilizes. However, support will also be needed during recovery, and the page will include ways to jumpstart businesses during this period.

The leadership group involved in creating and supporting this portal includes: the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Western College Small Business Development Center, the City of San Luis, City of Somerton, and City of Yuma, the Town of Wellton, Yuma County, Yuma International Airport, Arizona Western College CTE Training Program, ARIZONA@WORK, STEDY, the Greater Yuma Port Authority, 4FrontED, the University of Arizona, Visit Yuma, the Western Arizona Economic Development District, and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.