As a business partner with many entities, the Hancock Chamber of Commerce has compiled a thorough list of local, state, and federal resources to help the business-driving process. For more information about each resource, click the link associated with the description.
Hancock County Commercial Development Incentive Program
Hancock Chamber Business Resource Center – The Chamber’s Business Resource Center provides resources to assist with creating business plans, information on obtaining financing, and referrals for important information to help start up or grow local businesses. Call (228) 467-9048 to schedule an appointment for a free consultation.
Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission (HCPHC) – Hancock County, Mississippi is the home of Stennis Space Center. HCPHC functions as the county’s Economic Development Authority, Port Authority, and Airport Authority, as well as operates Port Bienville Industrial Park, Port Bienville Railroad and Stennis International Airport/Airpark. At this website you will find information including services, capabilities, and opportunities that they offer with Stennis International Airport, Port Bienville Railroad, Port Bienville Industrial Park and Stennis Space Center.
Hancock Community Development Foundation – the Hancock Chamber established the Hancock Community Development Foundation as a 501 (c)(3) public charity to serve as a funding conduit for projects with a broad community focus.The specific purposes of incorporation are to sponsor and support: Educational and community programs that stimulate job creation; foster small business growth and support workforce development; scholarships for the purpose of youth in Hancock County attaining a college education; programs that stimulate economic development and business growth in Hancock County; grant research, development and administration.
Demographics – Hancock County, by the numbers…
Growth Sectors – Find details about the types of industry and business booming in Hancock County.
Gulf Coast Business Council – The Gulf Coast Business Council is a strong voice of business on public policy issues of importance to the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. Through leadership and collaboration on targeted strategic issues, it promotes and advances the economic vitality and quality of life in our region.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Alliance for Economic Development – An independent partnership of five economic development agencies that work to promote the six Mississippi counties nearest the Gulf of Mexico — including Hancock. Through this professional partnership, businesses and industries that are considering relocating or expanding to the Mississippi Gulf Coast can work with a central contact to obtain the facts and assistance needed for a thorough evaluation of the area. The Alliance can also provide extensive information on the region’s five key industry sectors — aerospace, advanced materials, geospatial, marine science and shipbuilding.
Magnolia Business Alliance – An organization and forum for the advancement of small and medium businesses (SMB) in the southeastern US. Consists entirely of SMB leaders providing mentorship, training, logistics, and other support as needed to facilitate the development of new companies, a better environment for existing companies, and foster community and national awareness of issues affecting small businesses.
Gulf Coast SCORE – The Gulf Coast Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives) offers free one-on-one counseling – including Cyber Counseling – workshops and resources.
Mississippi Development Authority – oversees a wide array of programs to assist established businesses and encourage new ones.
The Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program – an integral element of the Mississippi Development Authority. A private non-profit corporation – South Mississippi Contract Procurement Center, Inc. – operates the center in Biloxi. The MPTAP provides its services only to Mississippi businesses. The services are provided at NO CHARGE. Their mission is to enhance national defense and economic development of the state of Mississippi by assisting Mississippi businesses in obtaining federal, state, local government and commercial contracts.
MDA Minority Business Resources – Mississippi Development Authority works with minority and women-owned businesses to facilitate networking with key industry partners from public and private sectors. They can also help you find joint ventures and subcontracting opportunities, as well as technical and financial assistance to help you better compete for federal, state, local government and commercial contracts.
Mississippi Small Business Development Center – a partnership program with SBA, provides free help to Mississippi businesses.
Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET) – MSET is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to creating high-skill, high-wage jobs in Mississippi. MSET taps the scientific and technical assets of the state to promote industrial growth, stimulate new business start-ups, and attract companies to Mississippi. MSET is a joint effort of the Mississippi Development Authority, NASA and Mississippi’s universities.
Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program – An integral element of the Mississippi Development Authority. A private non-profit corporation – South Mississippi Contract Procurement Center, Inc. – operates the center in Biloxi. The MPTAP provides its services only to Mississippi businesses. The services are provided at no charge. Their mission is to enhance national defense and economic development of the state of Mississippi by assisting Mississippi businesses in obtaining federal, state, local government and commercial contracts.
Mississippi Economic Development Council – The Mississippi Economic Development Council serves as the voice for Mississippi’s economic/community development and chamber of commerce professionals and their constituencies. Through collaboration with other local, state and national entities, MEDC establishes and advocates Mississippi’s economic and community development agenda.
Electric Power Associations of MS – The Economic Development Department of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi has recently launched a new website. It allows site selectors and potential industrial clients to select and view buildings and sites in Mississippi utilizing Google Earth based on the user’s search criteria. The site also includes important information about incentives, demographics, education and government in Mississippi, along with interactive national, regional and local maps with overlays.
Mississippi Power – Commercial Development Resources – Mississippi Power recognizes the significant contributions of small businesses in our communities in southeast Mississippi. The company offers programs to support the start-up, expansion and retention of small businesses by providing business incentives, site information, demographics, energy management consultation and other services. Our representatives act as a catalyst to connect small business owners with area resources to generate successful growth.
Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District – Has the mission of identifying and capitalizing on the development potentials of the 15 southern Mississippi Counties. Website contains extensive data and links to a wide scope of departments, including Workforce Development, Business Development, and Geographic and Mapping Information.
The Mississippi Energy Institute would like for every available energy job in the state to be filled. To get there, the think tank has launched getonthegridms.com, a website designed to get those interested in technical and professional occupations in the energy sector connected to the places and people who can help.
Mississippi Secretary of State
Mississippi Insurance Commission
Mississippi State Tax Commission
Small Business Administration – Anything you might want to know about small businesses and making them successful, including marketing, plans, health insurance and franchises. A site where you can network with other small business owners and get advice on starting, growing and managing your business.
SBA’s suite of tools can help you at any stage of your business venture. From initial counseling and business planning to contracting with the government and finding seminars to grow your business – there’s something for every entrepreneur to get the help they need. Let us help you find what you’re looking for today.
The Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) – Assists women in achieving their dreams and improving their communities by helping them start and run successful businesses, regardless of social or financial disadvantage, race, ethnicity or business background.
IRS Small Business Start-up Information – All you’ll need to know about your business and taxes.
SBIR & STTR Programs – The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs provide an opportunity for small, high technology companies and research institutions (RI) to participate in Government sponsored research and development (R&D) efforts in key technology areas. If you are a small business concern with 500 or fewer employees, or a non-profit RI, such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about these programs and significant sources of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program – Strives to transfer the knowledge and technology of the space program to small businesses. Currently only small businesses located in Texas may request technical assistance, but according to their website, “SATOP continues to pursue funding to support its future nationwide operations. Once new funding is secured SATOP will resume the acceptance of Requests for Technical Assistance nationwide. A notification will be placed on the website when this occurs.”
Federal Business Opportunities – Information on thousands of active federal opportunities of various government agencies.
Doing Business with NASA – The site for NASA Stennis Space Center procurement.
NASA Acquisition Forecast – update of expected contract opportunities, or classes of contract opportunities, for each fiscal year. The forecast consolidates anticipated procurements (in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold) at each NASA Center with the aim of increasing industries’ advance knowledge of NASA requirements and to enhance competition.
Doing Business with the Navy – The NAVSUP Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) is the small business advocate committed to maximizing procurement opportunities for small businesses and minority-serving educational institutions in support of SECNAV goals to identify and develop small businesses that can support the NAVSUP mission and the Navy-Marine Corps force for tomorrow.
Acquisitions and Grant Division of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Environmental Protection Agency– Business Opportunities
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur Assist – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s website contains a number of informational and educational tools for entrepreneurs and small businesses.