STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

The Abilities Fund
Centerville Office
410 N 18th St
Centerville, IA 52544-1823
Telephone: 641-856-2173
Toll Free: 888-222-8943
Fax: 641-856-3101

Iowa City Office
332 South Linn Street, Suite #17
Iowa City, IA 52240
Telephone: 319-338-2521
Toll Free: 866-720-3863
Fax: 319-338-2528
URL: http://www.abilitiesfund.org/

"This summer The Abilities Fund, together with a national lending partner, will launch a nationwide direct loan program for entrepreneurs with disabilities. In 45 states, loan guarantees will also be available to as a means to secure loans for entrepreneurs. Flexible terms and competitive interest rates for microloans ranging from $500 - $25,000 will be offered.

In support of new microlending services, The Abilities Fund will be expanding its online presence to include training and technical assistance. Soon, people with disabilities nationwide will have 24-hour access to features such as Feasibility First ©, business plan development, and financial planning for business startup -- all of which are resources designed to prepare entrepreneurs with disabilities for self-employment."

Alcorn State University Cooperative Extension Services
SOFSEC/Rural Entrepreneur Program/Alcorn State University
1000 ASU Drive #479, Alcorn State, MS 39096
Phone: (601) 877-3951
Fax: (601) 877-6694
URL: http://www.alcorn.edu/index.htm

Geographic Area Served: State of Mississippi (Rural)

Business Assistance: Home-Based & Micro Businesses in Mississippi
URL: http://msucares.com/business_assistance/homebusiness/index.html

Golden Triangle Enterprise Center
1 Research Blvd., Suite 201, Starkville, MS 39759
Phone: (662) 320-3990
Fax: (662) 320-3999
E-mail: E-mail info@gtec.org
URL: http://www.gtec.org

The Golden Triangle Enterprise Center is a high technology incubator program located in the Mississippi Research and Technology Park in Starkville, Mississippi. The GTEC incubator was established in September 1996 to assist new high technology companies in overcoming the hardships of starting a new business.

Gulf Coast Business and Technology Center
1636 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, Mississippi 39532
Phone: (228) 392-9741
Fax: (228) 392-9743
E-mail: btc@cableone.net
URL: http://www.gcbtc.org/home.asp

The BTC helps you put the business puzzle together by providing these important elements at a very affordable cost. At the center, you work near other entrepreneurs, people with similar goals and problems, with whom you may discuss mutual solutions. In other words we help create an environment to succeed.

Kemper County Industrial Incubator Center
102 Industrial Park Drive, DeKalb, MS 39328
Phone: (601) 743-2754
Fax: (601) 743-2760
E-mail: kceda@mississippi.net

Kemper County Industrial Incubator Center is a non-profit organization specializing in financial/accounting, legal services, networking, help with Access to Loan Funds, international trade, manufacturing practices assistance, federal procurement, and marketing.

Mississippi Development of Enterprise and Community Resource Development
233 East Hamilton, Jackson, MS 39225
Phone: (601) 354-2750
Fax: (601) 354-2777
E-mail: mscenter@mindspring.com
URL: http://msucares.com/departments/ecrd/index.html

Mission: To enhance the quality of life and economic opportunities for rural Mississippi residents through the development of cooperative businesses and other economic strategies.

Mississippi Department of Economic Development
P. O. Box 849, Jackson, Mississippi 39205
Phone: (800) 340-3323 (601) 359-3552
Fax: (601) 359-2832 (601) 359-3619
URL: http://www.mississippi.gov/ms_sub_sub_template.jsp?Category_ID=23

• Mississippi Development Authority
  URL: http://www.mississippi.gov/frameset.jsp?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mississippi.org%2F

  The Economic Development portion of MDA includes Existing Industry & Business, Financial Resources, International Development, National Development, Minority Business Enterprise, and Tourism Development.
  The Financial Resources Division manages three key areas of service to Mississippi business: the state's business loan programs, incubators, and technology advancement.

• Mississippi Development Authority - Business Incubators
  URL: http://www.mississippi.gov/frameset.jsp?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mississippi.org%2F

Mississippi State University Cooperative Extension
URL: http://msucares.com

The Mississippi State University Extension Service provides research-based educational programs and information in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer education and community resource development to improve the economic, social, and cultural well-being of all Mississippians.

• Link to Area Offices
  URL: http://msucares.com/counties/index.html

Mississippi Women's Economic Entrepreneurial Project (MWEEP)
106 West Green Street, Mound Bayou, MS 38762
Phone: (601) 741-3342
Fax: (601) 741-2195 or (601) 335-3060
E-mail: jthompson@tecinfo.com

The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) established economic entrepreneurial centers in Mound Bayou and Ruleville in Bolivar County, Mississippi. This area has been designated as a rural Enterprise Zone by the government. THE NCNW works closely with key officials and staff persons administering this revitalization effort to leverage SBA funding and avoid any duplication of effort.

Northeast Mississippi Business Incubation System-NEMBIS
1828 Proper Street, P.O. Box 1015, Corinth, MS 38834
Phone: (662) 287-4369
E-mail: nembis@tsixroads.com

NEMBIS is a non-profit organization that provides financial/accounting, networking, help with Access to Loan Funds, and marketing.

Quitman County Development Organization, Inc.
QCDO's Micro-Enterprise Loan and Business Development Program
201 Humphrey Street, P.O. Box 386, Marks, MS 38646
Phone: (601) 326-4000
Fax: (601) 326-3904
URL: http://www.ruralisc.org/qcdo.htm

Geographic Area Served: Quitman County and north Delta Rural Enterprise Community in Northwest Misissippi (Rural)
Mission: Increase the number of and provide support for women- and minority-owned small businesses in Quitman County and the North Delta Rural Enterprise Community Area, by offering afforable loans, accessible technical assistants, and appropriate training for staff and clients.

Southern Rural Development Center
Box 9656, #6 Montgomery Drive, Mississippi State, MS 39762
Phone: (601) 325-3207
Fax: (601) 325-8915
URL: http://ext.msstate.edu/srdc/

The SRDC serves as a proactive leader and primary facilitator of rural development research, education, and policy dialogue that will improve the socioeconomic conditions of the Southern region. The SRDC fosters innovative and creative approaches to sustainable rural development and serves as a key player in building collaborative networks that reach across agencies, institutions, and communities.