Budget, Policy & Stimulus News
Washington Finally Advances New Relief
Following months of back and forth squabbling, negotiators in Washington announced an agreement to issue nearly $1T in new COVID-19 economic relief and stimulus. Included in the package is a $300/week temporary supplemental jobless benefit, a $600 one time direct payment to most U.S. residents, new aid for businesses, and assistance funding for schools, healthcare facilities and renters possibly facing eviction. (Source)
Phoenix Issuing Last $43.4M in Relief Funds
Phoenix City Council has decided how it will spend its last $43.4M in federal pandemic relief funds before the December 31st deadline. $34.5M had already been earmarked for technology access expansion for underserved populations, coronavirus safety and a variety of other projects. The remaining $8.9M will be directed toward housing and utility assistance, coronavirus testing, small business aid and food relief. (Source)
Ahwatukee Got Small Share of Relief
A recent report shows the three ZIP codes that makeup Ahwatukee received $111,500 of the $2.26M distributed by the City of Phoenix this year for rental, mortgage and utility assistance. (Source)
Economic News
AAED Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Facing up to the challenges presented by COVID-19, the Arizona Association for Economic Development has offered up several new virtual programs including sessions on economic development, virtual road trips to rural and urban communities around the state, and sessions introducing attendees to economic development officials. Members attended more than 26 virtual events and logged 130 hours of networking. (Source)
Resources
Valley Partnership has updated its comprehensive page of COVID-19 news and resources. The page lists information on Federal, State, County and Municipal assistance and information outlets. (Source)