Press Release

Jackson, Mississippi Receives U.S. EDA Grant to Spur Entrepreneurship

September 3, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced an $84,000 grant to New Horizon Ministries of Jackson, Miss., to support development of a plan by the Jackson Business Accelerator Collaboration (JBAC) to increase partnerships among business development resources to provide and promote entrepreneurship and training opportunities to grow jobs in the region.

"Supporting entrepreneurs is critical to our ability to create jobs and remain competitive," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John R. Fernandez. "This EDA grant will advance regional collaboration to help revitalize and stimulate entrepreneurial activity in Jackson."

"This program will strengthen collaboration and improve the ability of local, regional, and statewide business development resources to better identify and capitalize on competitive advantages in the region to increase the number and quality of businesses and jobs," said Michael Harris, Program Manager at New Horizon Ministries.

The federal funds will help JBAC produce a plan to increase collaboration among business development resources to better provide training opportunities and promote entrepreneurship, helping revitalize and stimulate entrepreneurial activity in the ethnically-diverse community.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov): This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.