SBA Offices Serving The State

Mississippi District Office
Regions Plaza
210 E. Capitol Street, Suite 900
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
PH: (601) 965-4378
FAX: (601) 965-5629
or (601) 965-4294  
Directions 

 
Gulfport Branch Office
Hancock Bank Plaza
2510 14th Street, Suite 103
Gulfport, Mississippi 39501
PH: (228) 863-4449
FAX: (228) 864-0179

Directions

The magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) was officially adopted as Mississippi's state tree in 1938 and state flower in 1952.

"Mississippi" -- the name itself is Choctaw. It means "father of waters" and refers to the largest river in North America, which forms Mississippi's western border.The State of Mississippi measures 450 miles north to south and 180 miles east to west. Mississippi contains 47,716 square miles of valleys and hills, growing cities, small towns, expansive forests, rolling prairies, creeks, rivers, lakes and some of the finest farmland in the world.

The state's population is 2,826,000 with a minority population making up 31 percent of the total. In 2002, there were 53,409 businesses with employees, of which approximately 97 percent were small businesses (less than 500 employees).

The composition of small businesses in Mississippi is very diverse. The Manufacturing industry is the largest small business employer in Mississippi. Other significant small businesses are Retail Trade, Construction, Health Care Services, and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. The recent addition of the Gaming Industry has brought significant change to several areas of the state. Tunica County in north Mississippi, once the poorest county in the nation, is now a thriving area. The Mississippi Gulf Coast has also benefited from the Gaming Industry, as well as several locations along the Mississippi River such as Natchez and Vicksburg.

The northwestern area of the state, known as the Mississippi Delta, is prime farm land for cotton, soybeans and catfish farming. Because of the Delta, Mississippi is the number one catfish producer in the nation. The southern area of the state is largely made up of pine forest, while the northeastern area is largely hardwood forest in hilly terrain.

The Mississippi District Office serves the northern 70 counties, while the Gulfport Branch Office serves the 12 most southern counties. In Fiscal Year 2007, Nationally, SBA approved 110,275 loans totaling $20.6 billion exceeding loans made in FY 2006 (107,233 for $20.25 billion).  Most gains were made in loans to minorities (7%) with the largest increase in loans to African Americans (23%) from 7,338 to 8,903.  In Mississippi, although loans were down (623 in FY07 vs. 717 in FY06), the trend was similar in gains being made to minorities (227 loans in FY07 vs. 215 in FY06) and particularly African Americans (182 loans vs. 150 loans).  Other gains were in loans to veterans (17% vs. 15%).  If you have any questions regarding our loan programs or other services, please check the STAFF DIRECTORY for a listing of all employees and telephone numbers in the Mississippi offices.

We have several Resource Partners across the State of Mississippi who are willing to assist thriving or new business owners. The Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network provides the entrepreneur with education and training opportunities which cover a wide range of business topics.

The SBDC Program is designed to deliver up-to-date counseling, training and technical assistance in all aspects of small business management. SBDC services include, but are not limited to, assisting small businesses with financial, marketing, production, organization, engineering and technical problems and feasibility studies. In addition, any small business can obtain help from SCORE. Whether you are considering starting your own business, have a business that is experiencing problems, are ready to expand, or need some other type of advice, SCORE can help. You do not need to be applying for or to have an SBA loan to participate in the program. In fact, an idea is all that is necessary for consultation and counseling.

Another resource in the state of Mississippi is the Mississippi Women's Business Center (WBC). Mississippi Action for Community Education, Inc. (MACE) offers to the region, the Mid-Delta Women's Entrepreneurial Training Program. Given the limited opportunities for traditional employment in this area, the WBC helps to create an alternative and nontraditional means of economic support for low-income women.

In summary, small businesses have a striking impact on Mississippi's economy. Not only do they play a vital role as job creators, but their diversity and composition provide the work force with endless opportunities. Also, visit the State of Mississippi's Web Site for local events and special activities throughout our state!

"Mississippi - Where Small Business is Big Business!"