PHOENIX – On Monday, Governor Doug Ducey issued an Executive Order halting evictions in the state for small businesses and nonprofits that are unable to pay rent due to financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The move was applauded by the Arizona Small Business Coalition.
On behalf of the 1,100+ members of Arizona Small Business Coalition, thank you Gov. @dougducey for your decisive leadership today. These are the kind of actions we need to put AZ small businesses on a stronger footing to emerge from this #COVID19 crisis. https://t.co/ZZoYJuWYns
— Arizona Small Restaurant Coalition (@ArizonaSRC) April 6, 2020
Ducey’s order also encourages commercial landlords to defer rent payments for small business tenants facing economic hardship due to COVID-19 and consider waiving all fees and interest associated with late payments. Under the order, evictions will be halted until May 31, 2020.
“Arizona is grateful to the many landlords who are already working as good partners with small businesses during these challenging times,” said Ducey in a press release. “This order helps ensure no small business or nonprofit will face eviction due to COVID-19 and that landlords and small businesses work in partnership to make sure we get through this emergency together. There’s more work to do to ensure Arizona’s small businesses can make it through this public health emergency. As we continue to prioritize public health, we will continue to do everything in our power to support those in our small business and nonprofit communities serving us.”
On March 30, Governor Ducey announced a cooperative agreement with the state’s banks to protect small businesses and families from eviction and foreclosure. Banks also committed to expediting the application and approval of small business loans as part of the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program signed into law on March 27.