Back to Business Mississippi applications go live Thursday

Wednesday, Gov. Tate Reeves announced that the application process for the Back to Business Mississippi grant program will be live tomorrow, Thursday, June 11, at noon and available on the website backtobusinessms.org.

“We need to always remember: The pandemic was not just a public health emergency. It plunged our country into the greatest job loss since the Great Depression,” Reeves said during a live news conference Wednesday. “The economic damage—and the human cost of it—has been incalculable. We need to do everything in our power to take care of our neighbors.”

“MDA’s top priority has been working diligently to put in motion the new Back to Business Mississippi grant program,” said John Rounsaville, interim director at the Mississippi Development Authority. “We are happy to announce that MDA began taking applications today to help businesses that suffered economic losses during COVID-19.”

Qualifying businesses with 50 employees or less could receive up to $25,000, depending on their expenses during the pandemic. Eligible expenses under the grant program include mortgage interest, rent, payroll, utilities and other pandemic-related expenses. Under the federal pandemic relief CARES Act, the grants cannot cover lost revenue.

Small business owners can find a list of eligibility guidelines on the Back to Business Mississippi website, as well as rules, regulations and a list of FAQs.