Tempe Awards $1.2M To Small Businesses

TEMPE, AZ — Small businesses in Tempe just got a big boost from the city.

The city of Tempe announced in a news release that it awarded about $1.2 million in grants to small businesses in the area to help them amid the hardships brought by the coronavirus pandemic. Approximately 183 Tempe-based businesses benefitted after nearly 230 businesses applied for funds.

Stormy Dodge and her mother-in-law own Rocket-a-Go Go, a rockabilly clothing store on Mill and Southern Avenues. They received a grant from the city, which Dodge said came with plenty of relief.

"It was such a sign of relief when we found out we got the grant," Dodge said in a statement. "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 hospitality industry received about 47 percent of the funds. Health care and social assistance was the second highest, receiving 13 percent.

The average grant amount given was $6,880, with nearly 26 percent of the awards going to minority-owned businesses and 31 percent going to women-owned businesses. Some businesses, like Dodge's, who is Hispanic, are both.

The grants are intended to help small businesses retain or hire new employees and help them meet their expenses during a difficult period of time in the local economy. Businesses could apply for up to $10,000 in funding.

"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," Dodge said.