At this week’s inaugural luncheon of the Jewish Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, a question was asked of the attendees, and almost every hand went up. What was the question? How many are currently feeling the pinch of the economic climate in your business?

Predicting that this would be the case for many in our community, a motion was passed last year by the board of Jewish Free Loan to increase the maximum amount we would loan in our business development loan program, bringing the total to $20,000. In a recent front page article in the Arizona Republic by Betty Beard, she reports, “In September, the U.S. Census Bureau said Arizona had the nation’s second-worst poverty rate in 2009, behind Mississippi.

The article goes on to say that Arizona lost about one-tenth of its jobs during the recession; many of them construction and other blue collar jobs. We know that Arizona is a state where there are many sole owner businesses, and with the changes in the workforce, that segment of the workplace may grow. We hope that if you know someone who could use assistance with building their business, you will suggest they go online to www.jewishfreeloan.org to download an application.

Jewish Free Loan is here to assist our community, it’s individuals and families at their moment of need. This is how we help one another to build a vibrant sustainable community.