Business and Employer Resources

Governor’s Emergency Order for Restaurants, Bars and Other Businesses

Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order effective close of business Friday, March 20, 2020 that requires restaurants in Arizona counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases (which includes Maricopa County) to provide dine-out options only, and that all bars in those counties close. This also applies to movie theaters and gyms.

To assist in mitigating the financial consequences of restaurant closures, the Executive Order also allows restaurants to deliver alcoholic beverages with the purchase of food.

Additionally, the Governor’s directive allows manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to buy back unopened products from restaurants, bars and clubs. Learn more…

Business FAQ’s

• Q: I’m a restaurant looking to promote my curbside sales. What are my options?

  A: There are a variety of new and popular digital options available that you may have already heard of, some you may not have:

  • NStore – a FREE solution for restaurants, adding 5% on the customer’s order making it a free resource for the restaurant
  • Doordash
  • Grubhub
  • Uber Eats
  • Postmates
  • www.surprisefoodexpress.com
    
• Q: The recent Executive Orders require “additional sanitization precautions” for my business to stay open. What does that mean?
  A: Arizona Department of Health Services has published guidance for business to prepare for COVID-19. Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a COVID-19 planning guidance based on traditional infection prevention and industrial hygiene practices, among other resources on their COVID-19 page.
  
• Q: What does the Stay-At-Home Order issued by Governor Ducey on March 30^th mean for my business?

  A: All businesses classified as Essential Services may remain open and maintain operations but should establish and implement social distancing and sanitation measures established by the US Department of Labor or the Arizona Department of Health Services. Non-essential businesses may be able to continue to operate without in-person or onsite transactions.

  The order provided on March 23^rd outlines an expansive list of Essential Services and Businesses that cities and counties are prohibited from shutting. This includes:

  • Healthcare and public health operations, including hospitals, public health entities, distributors of personal protective equipment and biotechnology companies.
  • Human services operations, including those that provide services for the elderly, those with developmental disabilities, foster and adoptive children and the homeless.
  • Infrastructure operations, including food production, utility operators, construction and internet providers.
  • Government functions, including first responders, emergency management personnel, 911 operators, child protection staff, welfare providers and more.
  • Business operations, including grocery and medicine providers.
  • Organizations that provide charitable and social services, including religious and secular non-profit organizations and food banks.
  • Media organizations, including newspaper, television, radio and other media services.
  • Gas stations and other transportation-related businesses.
  • Financial institutions, including banks and credit unions.
  • Hardware and supply stores.
  • Critical trades, including plumbers, electricians, cleaning, sanitation, HVAC and security staff.
  • Mail, post, shipping and logistics.
  • Education institutions, including public and private K-12 schools, universities and research entities.
  • Laundry and dry cleaning services.
  • Restaurants for consumption off-premises.
  • Supplies distributors that enable telework and work from home and those that supply essential businesses.
  • Transportation, including airlines, taxis and ride-sharing.
  • Home-based and care services, including for seniors and those with developmental disabilities.
  • Residential facilities and shelters, including those for children, seniors or at-risk populations.
  • Professional services, including legal, real estate and accounting services.
  • Day care centers for employees exempted through the order.
  • Manufacturers, distribution and producers of supply-chain critical products.
  • Hotels and motels.
  • Funeral services.
    
• Q. Can I just keep my business patio open for dining or gathering?
  A. No, unfortunately take-out, drive-thru and delivery options are the ONLY allowable business practices temporarily throughout the State of Arizona. Read the March 19, 2020 announcement from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey here: https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2020/03/governor-ducey-announces-latest-covid-19-actions
  
  
• Q. Will there be any loans or monetary resources available for businesses?
  A. We are monitoring all federal and state information resources for updates. Please review and check our COVID-19 resource list regularly for details.
  
  
• Q. Can I continue to receive walk-in clients at my personal care establishment?
  A. In order to comply with the CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, businesses that offer walk-in, personal care services (beauty salons, barber shops, nail salons, spas, etc.) are highly encouraged to have appointment only hours.
  
  
• Q. I am a business who can help manufacture essential products. Who should I contact?
  A. Email the Arizona Department of Health Services at HEOC@azdhs.gov with a description of your capabilities and how your company can help.
  
  
• Q. I am a business who wants to wants to provide free or reduced cost services to the community. Who can I contact?
  A. If your scope of free or reduced cost service consideration is to the local or most vulnerable populations within our community, please contact Seth Dyson with the City of Surprise Human Services and Community Vitality Department at seth.dyson@surpriseaz.gov.
  
  If your scope or free or reduced cost service consideration is regional or statewide, email the Arizona Department of Health Services at HEOC@azdhs.gov with a description of your capabilities and how your company can help.

See Red, Get Fed Free Banner Program

To help restaurants promote their services and more easily identify types of services available, Surprise Economic Development is providing a FREE 4’ X 4’ banner for any restaurant that would like to participate in the city’s banner program. Restaurateurs – Learn how you can get your free banner: https://bit.ly/39e4WZX

A-frame sign policy temporarily amended

Beginning, Monday, March 30, 2020, businesses in the city of Surprise will be allowed to display an A-frame sign along the adjacent roadway or roadway closest to their business subject to certain requirements. This is a temporary action due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See the requirements…

Are you a Small Business or Entrepreneur? Startup space offers national support for startups and small businesses – for free!

Startup Space, the online platform for startups and small businesses offered by city of Surprise through AZ TechCelerator, is offering national support for its users including a list of resources and organizations that are offering various types of support for entrepreneurs and small business owners during the coronavirus outbreak and will be updated as information becomes available.  The full list of these resources can be found here: https://www.startupspace.us/2020/03/13/covid-19-coronavirus-national-support-for-startups-and-small-businesses/

SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has passed! How will it help small businesses?

The CARES Act assists small businesses in the following ways:

• Paycheck Protection Program: $350 billion in zero-fee, low-interest small business loans up to $10 million. Small businesses, nonprofits, franchises, veteran’s organizations, and tribal businesses up to 500 employees are eligible, as long as they conform with SBA definitions
  • Loans can be processed by your local community bank or credit union.
  • Treasury is required to offer guidance for banks and businesses within 15 days of this bill becoming law.
  • Up to 8 weeks of average payroll and other costs will be forgiven if the business retains its employees and their salary levels. Principal and interest is deferred for up to a year and all borrower fees are waived. This temporary emergency assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Treasury can be used in coordination with other COVID-financing assistance established in the bill or any other existing SBA loan program.
• SBA Emergency Economic Injury Grant: $10 billion in funding to provide an advance of $10,000 to small businesses and nonprofits that apply for an SBA economic injury disaster loan (EIDL) within three days of applying for the loan.
  • The grant does not need to be repaid, even if the EIDL request is denied. EIDL can be used to provide paid sick leave, maintain payroll, meet increased production costs, or pay business obligations like rent or a mortgage.

• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL): EIDLs are loans of up to $2 million that carry interest rates up to 3.75 percent for companies and up to 2.75 percent for nonprofits, as well as principal and interest deferment for up to 4 years. The loans may be used to pay for expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, including payroll and other operating expenses. With the Governor’s emergency declaration, every county in our state is eligible to receive relief through EIDL grants. Contact the SBA for more information.
  
  
• The SBA Debt Relief program will provide a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis. Under this program:
  • The SBA will also pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
  • The SBA will pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.

Available Small Business Aid
Federal Small Business Relief
CARES Act SBA Summary
Arizona SBA Lenders List
Coronavirus Emergency Loans - Small Business Guide & Checklist

Additional Recovery Resources

• Small Business Assistance Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
• Small Business Task Forces Unveils $300 Billion Emergency Coronavirus Relief Package
• SBA To Provide Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) Up to $2 Million in Disaster Assistance Loans
• Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending
• SBA’s Disaster Loan Assistance Registration
• SBA’s Funding Programs
• Do you own a Business Owner’s Insurance Policy? If so, Business Interruption may be part of your policy.
• Local First Arizona – Committed to Arizona Businesses
• Arizona Department of Economic Security – COVID-19 Information
• Maricopa County Public Health – Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
• EXIM Bank Information About Export Credit Insurance for businesses worried about international sales due to COVID-19
• Arizona Commerce Authority Business Financial Support
• Arizona Commerce Authority – COVID-19 Arizona Business Resources
• Arizona Commerce Authority COVID-19 Business Series – Ensuring Business Continuity

For program questions or assistance in completing the SBA application online, businesses may contact the following:

• SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955
• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) www.score.org
• Arizona’s network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) https://www.azsbdc.net/where-we-are/locations/

The Surprise Economic Development Department Has A Recovery Plan!

The Economic Development Department mission is focused on activities that attract new jobs to Surprise, increase retail sales within the community and enhance our quality of life – and this has not changed. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the Surprise Economic Development Department is focused more than ever on activities that will help businesses and our local workforce make a successful recovery while helping to keep our community updated with respect to important services. Our newly launched 100-Day Business and Workforce Recovery Plan is driving our priorities toward a successful economic recovery.

View 100-Day Business and Workforce Recovery Plan

We appreciate and value any and all feedback, recommendations and communication received and genuinely appreciate the opportunity to provide business and workforce assistance services.

Have questions or recommendations? Please email us at econdev@surpriseaz.gov. Thank you!

Need a Job? Let’s Get Started!

Surprise is committed to helping our workforce identify opportunities for employment.

• City of Surprise Community Jobs Board
• Surprise Resource Center
• Arizona@Work
• Arizona Department of Economic Security Services Related to COVID-19
• Pipeline AZ
• Social Security and the CARES Act
• Provisions Related to Unemployment Compensation in the CARES Act 
• 2020 Rebates: FAQs
• Arizona Commerce Authority

Please check back regularly on this page for updates, as there are daily changes, announcements and updates expected.

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