We’re updating this page on a regular basis to help entrepreneurs and business owners find resources in the face of the economic challenges of COVID-19. None of this should be considered legal advice or accounting advice; we provide these links and summaries for educational purposes only.
Please let us know if you come across any other resources for Mississippi entrepreneurs.
TOP NEWS
The SBA announced that, based on legislation passed in December 2020, the Paycheck Protection Program will open its second round of applications for new PPP applications and for qualifying companies and organizations that have already received one draw from the program. Three documents were released today, January 8, 2021.
- Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns
- Interim Final Rule as Amended by the Economic Aid Act
- Interim Final Rule on Second Draw Loans
Community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11th and Second Draw PPP Loans starting Wednesday, January 13th. The PPP will open to all participating lenders “shortly thereafter.”
BACK TO BUSINESS MISSISSIPPI
The Mississippi Development Authority has launched the Back to Business Mississippi website with information on the upcoming program.
Back to Business Mississippi is a grant program designed to distribute up to $300 million in grants to small businesses in Mississippi, paid out of the CARES ACT money that the state received. Businesses that have not received EIDL or Payroll Protection Program loans will be eligible first to receive grants from Mississippi, and $40 million of the program’s dollars are set aside specifically for minority-owned businesses.
You learn if you qualify and apply here.
UPCOMING EVENTS and WEBINARS
Innovate Mississippi – Remote Tools: Make Working from Home (Actually) Work
WEBINAR RECORDINGS and REPLAYS
Innovate Mississippi – Michael Graber on Using Insights to Grow Through Uncertainty
Learn the secrets of insights and innovation from managing partner of the Mid-South’s foremost growth consulting firm. You’ll learn how to grow value by creating products and services that meet a real need in the market. You’ll also get an understanding of some rapid commercialization methods: Lean Innovation, Jobs to Be Done, and Design Thinking. Though headquartered in Memphis, the Southern Growth Studio began in North Mississippi.
View recording here: Using Insights to Grow Through Uncertainty
Innovate Mississippi – Natalie Sharma on Optimizing Your Brand
Learn how to assess and consolidate your existing marketing and brand assets and turn them into an efficient visual system that scales with you, your team, and your business.
View the recording here: Optimizing Your Brand
Innovate Mississippi – Mike Morgan on Raising Capital During a Pandemic
Raising capital as a start-up CEO or founder can be challenging. Distracting. Time-consuming. And that was before COVID-19 changed the economic landscape. Mike Morgan will lead a discussion on how to start and continue conversations with angel investors about raising capital during these times of uncertainty.
View the recording here: Raising Capital During a Pandemic
Innovate Mississippi – Nashlie Sephus on Finding Top Tech Talent for Your Startup
Dr. Nashlie Sephus discusses how to find and hire a good Chief Technology Officer for your early-stage startup and how to navigate the CEO/CTO relationship. She’ll also answer your questions about building your base of technical talent for your organization. (Recorded May 13, 2020.)
Click here to watch the replay of Nashlie’s webinar.
Innovate Mississippi – Outbound Sales Strategies for Challenging Times – Spark Outbound
Jonathan is CEO and Founder of Spark Outbound, a digital marketing agency focused on helping startups, B2B businesses and franchises build efficient and scalable lead generation programs.
Click here to watch the replay of Jonathan’s webinar.
Innovate Mississippi – Important Information for MS Startups and Small Businesses
Click here for the webinar resource page and recording from our April 2 webinar.
Madison County Business League and Foundation – Q2 HR Roundtable
Description: MCEDA hosted their Q2 HR Roundtable virtually using Zoom, featuring Jackie Turner, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) and Timothy Rush, director of unemployment insurance. The focus was on new unemployment rules and benefits under the CARES Act and recent emergency orders by Governor Tate Reeves.
View the replay: https://www.madisoncountyeda.com/2020-q2-industry-hr-roundtable/
SBA and Small Business Majority: PPP & EIDL updates with the SBA
When: On-Demand (recorded April 28, 2020)
Description: Join Small Business Majority and the U.S. Small Business Administration for a free webinar to learn more about these programs, how to apply for EIDL and PPP loans and other resources that small business owners can take advantage of right now.
Register to watch the replay »
SBA Disaster Assistance Webinar – Presented Live on Alternate Wednesdays
Description: These live webinars are broadcast by SBA’s Dallas/Fort Worth District Office on alternate Wednesdays at 2:30 pm, and are free to small business owners. The presenter is Linda Williams, SBA Economic Development Specialist at the Dallas/Fort Worth District Office.
American Express: COVID-19 and the Global Economy, Impact and Insights: On-Demand
During this uncertain time, American Express is committed to helping businesses like yours stay informed as you navigate and plan for the future. This webinar will address business challenges and key learnings from around the globe:
- Gauge the effect of COVID-19 on the global economy
- Examine supply chain implications
- Explore how countries are beginning to stabilize
Register here: Watch the webinar
Entrepreneur.com Free Webinars
Description: Scheduled and on-demand webinars for running your business, getting loans and managing during the COVID-19 crisis.
Register Here: https://www.entrepreneur.com/events
Let’s Talk Jackson: David Humphreys
Description: Jackson-based business attorney David Humphreys of the Carson Law Group discusses COVID-19 business loans and employment issues in this episode of the local podcast.
Listen Here: COVID-19 Local Business Advice Podcast
RESOURCE CENTERS and BLOGS
BRADLEY – COVID-19 Resource Center
Description: At Bradley, we are working around the clock to help our clients tackle the many challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. If you are looking for answers related to COVID-19 and how it may impact you or your business, please visit our Coronavirus Disease 2019 resource page. This page includes some common Q&As, attorney-authored content on how the coronavirus may impact you or your business, and links to helpful online resources.
Visit here: https://www.bradley.com/coronavirus
C SPIRE Cares & Work From Anywhere
Description: The C Spire Cares website has news and updates related to COVID-19, including FAQs on how to work with C Spire during the crisis, how to pay your bill under different circumstances and even suggestions for disinfecting your phone. The “Work From Anywhere” Toolkit highlights relevant and helpful information for businesses such as UC-One and a free month trial of Microsoft 365.
Visit here: C Spire Cares and Work From Anywhere Toolkit
Entergy Resource Center
BKD – COVID-19 Resource Center and Webinars
Description: BKD has created a new resource center to help disseminate important tax and accounting information for our clients and friends as we evaluate ways to mitigate the inevitable financial effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the incidence of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Register here: https://www.bkd.com/covid-19-resource-center
McLaughlin, PC Client Resource Center
COVID-19 Client Resource Center
Mississippi Small Business Development Center
Resource Center: COVID-19 Resources
On-Demand Workshops: Business 101 and Business 102
SCORE National – Advice and Webinars
- Blog entry: What to Do NOW to Save Your Small Business From COVID-19
- Blog entry: Taking Care of Your Employees Goes Beyond Their Safety
- Webinar: Navigating Long-Term Uncertainty and the Aftermath of Disruption – Watch the Replay
- Webinar: The 4 Key Things Business Owners Should Be Focused on Right Now – Watch the Replay
- Webinar: Essential PR Tools and Tactics – Elevate the Visibility of Your Business While Being Sheltered in Place – Watch the Replay
1 Million Cups Richmond – “Running out of Cash?” – Weekly ZOOM meetings
Description: Are you running out of cash? Most new and small business owners are facing a cash crunch. See the article “Running Out of Cash” on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/running-out-cash-dale-fickett
OTHER RESOURCES and LINKS
Small Business Administration
- Apply for a Disaster Relief Loan
- Small Business Resources
- Paycheck Protection Program Explained
- Press Release: PPP Flexibility Act
U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Guide to the CARES Act
U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Coronavirus Resource Center
https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus
Mississippi Development Authority
State Resources for COVID-19 Response
Covid-19 Relief, LLC (Connect & Dennis Meek, CPA)
Local Jackson-based resource for CARES Act funding – free consultation
Kaufmann Foundation
“A guide to helping small businesses navigate and recover from the COVID-19 crisis”
Mississippi Arts Commission
Emergency Preparedness and Resources for Artists
Forbes Magazine:
SBA Approving Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): What You Need To Know
Economic Innovation Group
Understanding the Paycheck Protection Program
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Grant Roundup (nonprofits and for-profits)
WeFunder
Emergency funding for businesses by crowdsourcing investment
Kiva Loans
0% loans for small businesses during COVID-19
Free 30 days of Sonido Recording Studio software
Get 30 days free to help your recording studio get a boost during COVID-19
TIPS and TRICKS
Entrepreneur.com
- How to Prepare for Major Supply Chain Disruption
- Six Tricks You Need to Know About ZOOM
- Dos and Don’t for Virtual Meetings
- How to Transition Your Team to Remote Work
- FBI: Avoid ‘ZOOM Bombing’ By Making Conferences Private
Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide in the Age of the Coronavirus (Trey Bowles)
Steve Blank