2025-2026; commerce

Loans for Arizona microbusinesses continue

The law keeps Arizona’s microbusiness loan program and fund in place, with changes applying retroactively to June 29, 2025. Arizona businesses that are independently owned, located in the state, and have five or fewer workers can seek loans through approved lenders. Loans can pay operating costs, working capital, property, equipment, or existing debt; each loan is capped at $50,000. Fund money usually covers no more than 25% of a loan, though the Office of Economic Opportunity can set a higher share by rule. The office cannot give one lender more than $2 million and must include lenders from at least two counties. Lenders must refer borrowers for financial education and may charge up to $500 for loans under $25,000 or 2% for loans of $25,000 or more. Repaid principal and interest fund more loans, and the office can use up to 1% of fund money to market the program. The office must report lender availability by February 1, 2026, and detailed loan activity by July 31, 2026. From and after June 30, 2027, the section is repealed and unused, uncommitted fund money goes to the state general fund.