Financial and Economic Information and Resources for Small Businesses
This page will be updated as new legislation is approved.
If you have questions, contact the MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development at 662-325-3141.
USDA is now implementing updates to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. According to USDA the Farm Service Agency began accepting CFAP 2 applications on April 5, 2021. If your farming operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic you can apply for assistance by visiting this site, https://www.farmers.gov/cfap2/commodities and contacting your local USDA Service Center.
A list of eligible and ineligible commodities can be found here https://www.farmers.gov/cfap2/commodities. The commodities are divided into 3 categories: Price Trigger Commodities, Flat-Rate Crops, and Sales Commodities.
This program is now closed. For information on other covid-19 relief options please visit the Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration is Offering Paycheck Protection Loans Until March 31. These loans are designed to keep workforce employed and may be forgiven according to SBA. Those wishing to apply for a PPP Loan should contact thier lender. You can also search for a lender in your area by clicking here. https://www.sba.gov/PaycheckProtection/find?address=39759&pageNumber=1
The Biden Administration has announced that there will be changes to the program. Continue visiting our site and the Small Business Administration https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program for updates as this is a fluid situation.
Additional Resources
Mississippi Economic Council Disaster Loan Guide
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Information for Nonprofits
Your Banker – Mississippi Bankers Association
U.S. Department of the Treasury – How the Treasury Is Taking Action
Paycheck Protection Program Information Sheet
Overview of the Paycheck Protection Program
Paycheck Protection Program Application Form
Resources from the Mississippi Emergency Management Association
Six Strategies to Strengthen Your Business During COVID-19
Need to adapt your small business to COVID-19 but not sure how?
In an effort to help small businesses in Mississippi survive and thrive during COVID-19, Mississippi State University Extension faculty members provided an overview of six strategies that can be used to strengthen your business. Using a Zoom conference, faculty provided an overview of each strategy and links to critical resources for small businesses. Please contact any or all of the Extension faculty members in this video to help your business continue to move forward during this crisis.
Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The risk of infection and hospitalization from COVID-19 is significantly higher in unvaccinated people, but some fully vaccinated people are also being infected due to the contagiousness of the delta variant of the virus.
Though no vaccine is 100% effective, it is the best method to avoid contracting the virus or suffering a severe illness from a breakthrough infection, said Dr. Tami Brooks, Starkville physician and retired professor of pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine.
With the uptick in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, it’s not uncommon to hear of loved ones and friends who have been infected or who are in quarantine due to exposure. Children, especially, may be confused, worried, and afraid about classmates, friends, and family members who are sick.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- With the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreading three times as easily as previous strains in Mississippi and unvaccinated patients comprising most of the state’s cases, receiving the vaccine is now more critical than ever to slow the spread.
State health leaders are strongly encouraging Mississippians still grappling with vaccine hesitancy to consult governmental sources when seeking out data to inform their decisions. As of Aug. 5, 39% of Mississippians had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while only a third were fully vaccinated.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The saying goes that tough times bring out the best and worst in people. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception, and consumers need to be wary of potential fraud related to the vaccine as it is rolled out.
Those who have not yet scheduled an appointment to receive their first dose will be waiting another month. On Jan. 15, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported that appointments may be limited until late January, as most of the state’s available vaccine inventory had already been scheduled or distributed.
The Mississippi State University Extension Service Head Start Program in Harrison County is proving resilient in safely living up to its mission of easing the transition to school for families with young children.
Success Stories
Extension Brown Bags flying off shelves in DeSoto County
Mississippi State University Extension agents in DeSoto County are partnering with public librarians throughout the county to distribute Extension Brown Bags to members of the community. Extension has offered a range of educational programs at these libraries, so joining with them to expand the giveaways was a natural choice.
Extension distributes 78,000 masks in Mississippi
When a federal agency made mass shipments of thousands of masks available nationally, the Extension health director in Washington, D.C., Dr. Roger Rennekamp, reached out to his longtime colleague Dr. David Buys, an associate professor with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Four Extension experts named fellows in their disciplines
Four well-respected Mississippi State University Extension Service experts were recently named fellows in prestigious academic and service organizations.
Extension agent in Pontotoc County held local meetings online in 2020
The Mississippi State University Extension Service has been part of Terry Barron’s life in many ways since she moved back to her home state more than 12 years ago.
4-H provides programs, support online during pandemic
Even as COVID-19 puts a damper on activities of all kinds across the country, Mississippi 4-H agents and personnel remain dedicated to shaping tomorrow’s leaders.
Watch

Conversations about Coronavirus: Interview with Wayne Madkin
Monday, April 27, 2020 - 11:30am