MSU small biz center CARES

STARKVILLE, Miss. - As the Magnolia State's small businesses navigate during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mississippi State University is providing guidance to owners seeking funds from the federal government’s $2T stimulus package. MSU's Small Business Development Center provides no-cost counseling to businesses within a 10-county area. Chip Templeton, SBDC director, said the center has been working to understand the rapidly evolving provisions for businesses in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and relaying that information to owners. Templeton said there are two main relief programs from which business owners can seek loans. The Paycheck Protection Program, created by the CARES Act, and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program through the U.S. Small Business Administration. “We’re not in the deciding position on loans or anything like that," said Templeton, "but we guide business owners and help them get the right information.” Mike Tagert, CEO of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, also has been working to communicate key details of the CARES Act to local businesses. The Partnership has been supporting the broader community with relevant information on business changes related to COVID-19 and aggregating relevant resources for business owners at www.starkville.org/support. (Source: MSU 04/08/20)