Legislature Quickly Passes Small Business Grant Program
Jackson, Miss. (Mississippi Today) - One day last week during a committee meeting he was chairing, Rep. Larry Byrd, R-Petal, looked over his shoulder to see the imposing figure of House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton. “I had a stroke,” said Byrd, the non-assuming chair of the County Affairs Committee who was not expecting the House speaker to attend the meeting. Gunn, still catching his breath after running up four flights of Capitol stairs after attending another meeting, pulled off his mask and gave the charge he was delivering to the multiple House committees meeting throughout the building. That charge was to look for ways to efficiently and quickly distribute $1.25 billion in federal funds to help people and entities impacted [...]
Virus Relief Passed by Legislature Will Aid ‘Main Street Mississippi’
Jackson, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Thursday that he expects to sign a bill to create grants for small businesses by using part the state's coronavirus relief money. The governor's staff was involved in negotiations that led to the bill that the Republican-controlled state House and Senate passed with broad bipartisan support late Wednesday. Reeves said his staff will review the bill, and he will sign it if all the details are as expected. “Wall Street is going to be just fine,” Reeves said Thursday. “Main Street is where my concern is — Main Street, Mississippi.” The aid package was crafted days after Reeves and legislative leaders set aside a feud over whether the governor or legislators [...]
Lt. Governor Hosemann on $300M Small Business Relief Bill
Jackson, Miss. (WLOX) - On the governor's desk right now is a measure that gives some relief to small businesses ordered closed because of the pandemic, but have yet to get help. That assistance totals $300 million and will go towards funding a couple of different programs. Joining us to talk about that Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann. View Original Story
Press Release: Legislature Sends Small Business Direct Payment, Grant Programs to Governor
Jackson, Miss. — Small businesses across the State which closed as a result of COVID-19 may soon get a boost from a bill sent to the Governor today. Senate Bill 2772 sets aside $300 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to create two programs providing a direct payment to some businesses and a grant to others. The direct payment program would provide qualifying businesses which shut down — including hair stylists, fitness centers, and some restaurants — a flat $2,000 check. All small businesses with 50 or less employees that experienced interruption can apply for the “Back to Business Mississippi Grant Fund,” authorizing up to $25,000 for costs incurred as a result of the virus. The legislation provides $60 million [...]
Lt. Gov. Hosemann Reflects on Historic Events of First 100 Days in Office
Jackson, Miss. (WLBT) - Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann and other top elected officials have reached and surpassed the 100-day milestone on the job. “None of this was in the brochure. I’m just telling you, when we ran for this, we had so many things we were interested in doing,” said Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann. He said he’s still interested in doing things like improving education, healthcare and safety of Mississippians, but the task at hand right now is COVID-19. I asked him if he thought we are trying to re-open the state too soon. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said, “You know, I think we will add up the score at the end of this, Howard. Right now, I think we need [...]
Jasper County is Worst Tornado Damage Site Since Smithville, Hosemann Says
Moss, Miss. (Laurel Leader-Call) - After Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann visited the Moss Community in Jasper County, he said it was the worst tornado damage he’d seen since Smithville was practically wiped off the map by an F5 monster nine years ago. “It’s total obliteration of homes and businesses,” Hosemann said of the community just across the Jones County line. That’s why many residents were surprised that Jasper County was not included in President Donald Trump’s Federal Disaster Declaration. Jones, Jefferson Davis and Covington counties were approved to get federal assistance after being deemed disaster areas. That means victims in those counties qualify for assistance that includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, among other things. “I want to [...]