Business Assistance Centers (BACs)

The first BAC opened Wednesday, September 21, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Through these centers, we are providing a one-stop shop for information on everything from financial assistance programs to local building permit questions. The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is supporting the efforts of local economic developers and Chambers of Commerce to open and staff these centers.

BAC Services include:

• Information on the Mississippi Disaster Bridge Loan Program
• Business counseling
• Assistance in completing the SBA Disaster Loan applications
• Registration assistance for government contracts
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance

The BACs are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. BAC Locations are:

Procurement Opportunities and Prime Contractor
Networking Workshop

Workshops discussing procedures and strategies for taking advantage of procurement opportunities related to the recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the rebuilding of the Mississippi Gulf Coast took place in several cities throughout Mississippi.

The Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization Specialist representing the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency attended as well as representatives from prime contractors already performing disaster recovery work; The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the U.S. Small Business Administration and the General Services Administration.

Future workshops can be held upon request.  Please contact Deirdre Floyd at 601.359.3448 for more information.

Business Assistance Workshops

Workshops have been held in areas of the state where BACs are not located. These free workshops gave business owners the opportunity to meet one-on-one with local, state and federal representatives.

Business Assistance Workshops were held:

• Thursday, October 20, in Meridian
• Monday, October 17, in Lucedale
• Thursday, October 13, in Tylertown
• Wednesday, October 12, in Waynesboro
• Tuesday, October 4, in Pascagoula
• Thursday, September 29, in Poplarville
• Wednesday, September 28, in Hattiesburg
• Wednesday, September 28, in Ellisville

Future workshops can be held upon request. Please contact Jack Curry at 601.359.3038 for more information.

United States Small Business Administration (SBA)

For additional information you may call 800.659.2955 or visit www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/index.html.

SBA Disaster Loan

Small business owners who have suffered property damage and/or economic injury should first register with FEMA, if they have not already done so via http://www.fema.gov/, 800.621.FEMA (800.621.3362) or at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). FEMA registration is required before the U.S. Small Business Administration can provide assistance.
SBA Disaster Loans will cover damages for physical property as well as economic injury (losses due to business closure, etc.).

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

The Department of Labor is working with state and local governments in disaster areas and relief sites to issue disaster unemployment assistance for self-employed and newly employed who may not be eligible for unemployment insurance. For more information, call 866.4.USA.DOC (866.487.2365) or visit America's Service Locator.

Learn more about Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
Call 888.844.3577 or visit any office of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. A list of sites that are currently open is available at http://mdes.ms.gov/wps/portal/#null.

FEMA Temporary Housing Program

Camping trailers are being assembled at Purvis by FEMA for storm victims. You must qualify by calling 800.621.FEMA (800.621.3362) to get one of the trailers for temporary housing. You can also go to the FEMA website, http://www.fema.gov/ for additional information on qualifying for a trailer.

Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT)

All state maintained Highways are open for travel except Hwy 90 between Waveland and Ocean Springs. This includes I-10, which is open throughout the entire state. The MDOT traffic hotline: 601.359.7017. Please visit http://www.mdot.state.ms.us/ for additional information.

Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

For information please call 601.359.1100 or go to www.mdac.state.ms.us/n_library/misc/hurricane.htm.

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)

MDEQ assists the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies in the preparations and cleanup in the event of natural disasters like hurricanes, dam breaks and flooding. You may contact them at: 601.961.5281, 601.961.5724, 601.961.5399, 601.961.5554, or go to http://www.deq.state.ms.us/ for additional information.