Reports - Mississippi Renewal

94 | SMALL BUSINESSBringing Resources to the EffortThe MDA is making important contributionsfor funding resources forsmall businesses affected by the hurricane.Currently, MDA is making loansfrom a $25 million loan fund, based ona model implemented in Florida afterits recent hurricanes. 7 The first “bridge”loan applicants are receiving loan proceedswithin 48 hours of loan applicationfor amounts ranging from $1,000to $25,000. To help spread the word,the Governor’s Commission coordinatedwith the Sun Herald, the Bay Press,the Sea Coast Echo, the Mississippi Pressand other local newspapers and businessjournals to publicize these programsand resourcesThrough the Small Business Com-mittee, the Governor’s Commissiontook two specific actions shortly afterthe Commission was formed. First, atthe requestof the Commission, the edi-torial board of the Sun Herald agreed topublicize these resources, and second, onNovember 2, a Small Business and MinorityContractors Forum was held inBiloxi to address concerns about businessrecruitment and minority partici-Small businessesare especiallysensitive tochanges thataffect the securityand quality of lifeof all citizens.