Women-Owned Businesses in Mississippi Awarded $5,000 Grants

Grant winner Jerleen White (right), owner of JOEL Printing

Women from across the state applied for business grants being offered by the Magnolia Business Alliance. Two local women entrepreneurs were each awarded a $5,000 grant to either start or grow their businesses.

The Magnolia Business Alliance

The Magnolia Business Alliance (MBA) is a non-profit corporation in Long Beach, Mississippi that focuses on the advancement of small and medium businesses in the southeastern U.S. The organization consists of business leaders who act as mentors for small business. They encourage the development of more small businesses and the growth of existing small businesses, especially those owned by minorities.

Recently, the organization, through its Magnolia Minority Enterprise program, awarded two grants of $5,000 each to Mississippi women-owned businesses. One grant went to an existing business and the other grant was awarded to a new restaurant owner. The grant money was used to purchase equipment, software and other business-related expenses.

Creating a positive business environment

Beyond grants, the program works hard to create a healthy business environment for socially and economically disadvantaged woman-owned firms. Their work includes seminars, training, education regarding government programs, and working with federal, state, and local officials to support women-owned businesses and recognize the contribution they make to the community.

To read more, visit msbusiness.com/2015/05/magnolia-business-alliance-awards-grants/