United Fund of Globe-Miami BUSINESS Flood Relief Program FAQ

1. Who is leading the Business Flood Relief effort?

The United Fund of Globe-Miami is fundraising and stewarding all flood recovery donations for the business community. We are partnering with the Local First Arizona Foundation, which is administering the intake and processing of business relief grants in coordination with a local steering committee made up of City of Globe, Town of Miami, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, who activated locally in the area following the floods.

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2. What is Phase 1 of the Business Relief Program?

Phase 1 provided initial grants of up to $5,000 to licensed businesses directly impacted by the September and October floods.
These grants helped cover immediate needs like cleanup, temporary repairs, and essential equipment replacement. Applications for Phase 1 closed October 31, 2025.

 

 

3. What is Phase 2 and who is eligible?

Phase 2 will provide larger, second-round grants to help building owners with repairs and tenant businesses with recovery of their operations.
To qualify, businesses must:

• Have received an Initial Business Relief Grant

• Have had a current municipal business license (City of Globe or Town of Miami) on record at the time of flooding if located within those municipal areas.

• Have been actively operating at the time of the flooding (building owners must have had an actively operating business tenant at the time of the flooding).

• Show that their main commercial building (building owners) or their operations within such a building (business tenants) were directly impacted by floodwaters (not rain or storm damage).

• Submit back-up documentation about the damage and/or losses sustained 

 

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4. What types of grants are available in Phase 2?

There are two types of second-round grants:

• Building Repair Grants (for business property owners)

• Business Recovery Grants (for tenant businesses operating within those buildings)

Some applicants may qualify for both if they are both the building owner and tenant.

 

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5. How much funding is available per business?

This will vary and be based on future recovery cost estimates collected during the Initial Business Relief Grant process. Most second-round grants are expected to range between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on verified need and available funds.
Exact amounts will be determined once all Phase 1 grants are processed.

 

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6. What can the grants be used for?

Eligible expenses include:

• Structural repairs to flood-damaged business buildings.

• Replacement or repair of essential equipment and inventory lost to floodwaters.

• Mechanical, electrical or plumbing work needed to safely reopen.

Ineligible expenses include:

• Storm or rain damage not caused by floodwaters.

• Landscaping, retaining walls, sheds, or parking lots.

• Lost income

 

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7. What documentation will be needed?

Businesses may need to provide:

• Business license verification.

• Damage photos or repair estimates.

• Structural assessment or inspection report (if applicable).

• Information on lost or damaged equipment and/or inventory.

• Brief statement on how funds will help reopen or sustain operations.

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8. Will businesses that did their own fundraising still qualify?

Yes. Independent fundraising efforts do not affect eligibility for flood recovery grants.

 

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9. When did the application open?

Phase 2 invites have officially been sent as of November 26, 2025. The application is open for three weeks with the deadline being December 19. Local First has directly contacted the recipients of Initial Business Relief Grants who are eligible for Phase 2 grants with the details on how to apply. 

 

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10. How are funds disbursed?

After the application review process, Local First staff will notify applicants of award status once decisions are finalized. United Fund of Globe-Miami will issue all approved grant payments directly to eligible businesses.
 

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11. Is this “free money”?

While this grant does not need to be repaid, it is not considered “free money.” Our Business Flood Relief program is made possible through the generosity of donors from across our region, as well as from supporters in other states. 

Please note that grant funds are considered taxable income, and recipients should consult their tax professional for guidance. Additionally, all grant monies must be reinvested in the business—whether for repairs, replacement of equipment or inventory, or other operational needs.

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12. What is the purpose of this program?

The goal is to help local businesses and building owners recover, rebuild, and reopen safely, ensuring long-term economic vitality for the Globe-Miami region.