Doing Business
Regional ProfileMoving the Mississippi Gulf Coast ForwardHarrison CountyHarrison County, Mississippi is an ideal place to relocate, expand or start your business. Centrally located on the Gulf of Mexico / Interstate 10 corridor between Alabama and Louisiana, our coastal region offers a dynamic, diversified economy and is a positive place to do business.Of the six South Mississippi counties, Harrison County has the largest population and the greatest number of cities. It is bordered on the east by industrialized Jackson County, on the west by Hancock County and the John C. Stennis Space Center and to the north by primarily rural Stone County. This strategic central position has been largely responsible for Harrison County’s diversity. Part of the Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan statistical area, the county has a wide mix of businesses, from retail and manufacturing to pharmaceuticals and healthcare research, to composite technology and shipbuilding. Harrison County is made up of five cities: Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, Biloxi and D’Iberville. Each city contributes its own industries, amenities and character to the area, and they all work together to "Move the Mississippi Gulf Coast Forward". The official website for Harrison County is www.co.harrison.ms.us. Regional Map Mississippi Gulf CoastComprised of six counties-three on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and three to their north-the Mississippi Gulf Coast is the state's second largest metropolitan area and includes both urban centers and rural areas. In fact, it has two metropolitan statistical areas (MSA): the Gulfport-Biloxi MSA (Hancock, Harrison and Stone counties) with a population of 248,965 and the Pascagoula MSA (Jackson and George counties) with 154,335 residents. In addition, there's the Picayune metropolitan statistical area (Pearl River County) with a population of 52,659.Diversity of lifestyles is one of the most striking characteristics of the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. The wide variety of industries and areas gives residents endless options and opportunities for places to work and live. From casinos to shipbuilders, from beachfront condominiums to traditional neighborhoods-the Mississippi Gulf Coast has it all! Economic DevelopmentThe Harrison County Development Commission (HCDC) is the lead economic development agency for Harrison County, including the cities of Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, Biloxi, and D'Iberville. Top priority is job creation through recruitment of new industry and business as well as retention and expansion of existing business.Visit the Harrison County Development Commission website at www.mscoast.org or call 228-896-5020 for more information. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Alliance for Economic Development is an independent regional economic development partnership that serves the six Mississippi counties nearest the Gulf of Mexico-George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, and Stone. Through this professional partnership, businesses and industries can work with a central contact when considering relocating and expanding into the area. They provide the facts and assistance you need for a thorough evaluation. Visit the alliance at www.mscoastalliance.com. Workforce DevelopmentEnhance your education with Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce!Throughout the year, the Chamber presents a series of classes to assist the educational needs of its businesses. The Workforce Development Series covers areas such as business law, computer skills, leadership and communication, and techniques to improve work habits. Click here for a PDF version of the course listings, or visit the Chamber office to receive a copy. Want to get involved? If you are interested in presenting a future seminar, email BusinessSeminars@mscoastchamber.com. Starting a BusinessIf you are looking to start a business in Harrison County, utilize the resources below!Business Resource GuideThe objective of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber is to help businesses succeed. That's why it has partnered with several organizations to provide its members with a Business Resource Guide. Each business resource provides several types of professional assistance, such as mentoring, training and services to help start a business. Our partners, along with their contact information, are listed in the guide to better service our valued business community.Click here for a PDF version, or visit the Chamber office to receive a copy. If you have questions concerning the Business Resource Guide, contact the Chamber’s Workforce Development Department at 228-604-0014. Local ResourcesGulf Coast Business Technology CenterKnown as a business "incubator" that provides basic business services to start-up businesses; office and light manufacturing space, business counseling, access to shared services, office equipment, telecom/internet capabilities, and access to common areas. Great success rate in "graduating" successful small businesses! 228-392-9741 www.gcbtc.org/ Gulf Coast Business Council The Gulf Coast Business Council is the strong and united voice of business on public policy issues of importance to the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. Through leadership and collaboration on targeted strategic issues, it promotes and advances the economic vitality and quality of life in our region. 228-897-2020 www.msgcbc.org/mx/hm.asp?id=home WIN Job Center The Workforce Investment Network (WIN) in Mississippi is an innovative strategy designed to provide convenient, one-stop employment and training services to employers and job seekers. It combines federal, state and community workforce programs and services into physical locations and electronic sites. 228-539-6800 www.wininmississippi.org South Mississippi Contract Procurement Center SMCPC provides assistance to Mississippi businesses in identifying and pursuing federal, state, and local government contracting opportunities through electronic bid matching. SMCPC also works with the business community in marketing themselves to these agencies, prime contractors, and other private and public companies. SMCPC assists businesses in becoming registered in CCR, ProNet, and ORCA, certified as 8(a), HUBZone, WBE, MBE, and any other programs of interest. 228-374-2970 www.mscpc.com Mississippi Development Authority The MDA provides services to foster investment in Mississippi businesses and industry. Counseling and professional assistance is also provided. It maintains extensive resource materials including demographic data, industry reports, census statistics, as well as maintaining several databases pertaining to resources throughout the state. 228-523-4034 www.mississippi.org Mississippi Small Business Development Center The Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center provides a variety of services to small businesses in the south six counties in Mississippi. Services include counseling, workshops, and information services. Resources that are available include business plan development, market analysis, capital sources, technology transfer, federal grant information and other managerial and technical support services. The GC SBDC is a partnership with SBA, the Mississippi Legislature and the University of Mississippi. www.olemiss.edu/depts/mssbdc Harrison County Development Commission Created in 1958, the Harrison County Development Commission is the lead economic development agency for Harrison County, including the cities of Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, Biloxi and D’Iberville. HCDC is committed to promoting Harrison County as a positive place to do business, to developing quality jobs for our citizens and to "Moving the Mississippi Gulf Coast forward". 228-896-5020 www.mscoast.org Service Corps of Retired Executives SCORE is a non-profit organization of working and retired business managers/owners and other professionals who provide free and confidential business counseling and mentoring to entrepreneurs. www.scoregulfport.org Small Business Administration The SBA provides guaranty loans to finance start-up and existing small businesses, disaster loans for commercial and residential property, and procurement programs such as 8(a) and HUBZone to help small businesses sell their goods and services to the Federal Government. 228-863-4449 www.sba.gov/ms Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District The SMPDD operates various direct loan programs designed to finance new and expanding businesses that otherwise would not be able to obtain conventional financing. It serves the 15 counties in south central and southeastern Mississippi. SMPDD also provides some training and census/demographic information. 228-868-2311 www.smpdd.com Building Code Services in Harrison County, MS: Biloxi Building Code Office: 676 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. Biloxi, MS 39530 228-435-6270 www.biloxi.ms.us/formspermits/ Gulfport Building Code Office: William H. Hardy Building 1410 24th Ave. Gulfport, MS 39501 228-868-5715 ci.gulfport.ms.us/NEWsite/building_main.htm Long Beach Building Code Office: P.O. Box 929 645 Klondyke Rd. Long Beach, MS 39560 228-863-1554 cityoflongbeachms.com/FormsPermits/forms.htm Pass Christian Building Code Office: 203 Fleitas Ave. Pass Christian, MS 39571 228-452-3316 www.ci.pass-christian.ms.us State ResourcesMississippi Economic Development Councilwww.medc.ms Mississippi Development Authority www.mississippi.org Mississippi Employment Security Commission http://www.mdes.ms.gov/wps/portal#null Mississippi State Tax Commission www.mstc.state.ms.us Mississippi Worker’s Compensation Commission www.mwcc.state.ms.us Mississippi Insurance Commission www.doi.state.ms.us Mississippi Secretary of State www.sos.state.ms.us Federal ResourcesIRS Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resourcewww.irs.gov/businesses/small Occupational Safety & Health Administration www.osha.gov U.S.Government's official web portal www.firstgov.gov Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov Internal Revenue Service www.irs.ustreas.gov/ Social Security Administration www.ssa.gov U.S. Department of Labor www.dol.gov U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis U.S. Department of Justice www.usdoj.gov Equal Employment Opportunity Commission www.eeoc.gov U.S. Department of Commerce www.doc.gov Small Business Administration www.sba.gov/ Federal Tax CenterIf you run a small business or are self-employed, the Small Business Self-Employed community website is for you! The site offers industry and/or profession-specific information to help you work with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).Industry or Profession http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/industries/index.html. Were you aware that the IRS offers several electronic filing options designed specifically for the business filer? There are several ways you may choose to participate in the IRS e-file for Business programs. Whatever your choice, participation in IRS e-file for Business programs is e-efficient with increased accuracy, it's more e-ffective since you'll spend less time filing tax returns and more time focused on your business, and it's more e-conomical with less paperwork. Up until now Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) has been a service that businesses and individuals can use to pay all their federal taxes electronically, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via the phone or personal computer (PC) software. Now taxpayers can pay via the Internet. Visit the EFTPS web site for all the latest information! Or visit the Department of Treasury's Financial Management Services web page on EFTPS. If you're starting a new business and you don't know where to begin, then visit the Checklist for Starting a Business. Or choose any one of these other resources:
Having employees requires businesses to meet certain laws and regulations, especially if you have employees with disabilities. IRS Abusive Scheme ToolkitsThis exciting new product provides you with up-to-date information on several abusive schemes in an easy to read format that addresses how each scheme works and what the potential tax consequences are. These toolkits were designed to be used by Taxpayers as an aid in counter marketing against abusive tax schemes.Additional ResourcesEntrepreneur Magazine Onlinewww.entrepreneur.com National Business Incubation Association www.nbia.org Trademarks, copyrights, patent information www.nolo.com Sample business plans www.bplans.com General population & demographic information www.census.gov Harrison County data http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28/28047.html Manufacturers, Industry type, Location, Employee size www.mississippi.org/manufacturers/advancedsrch.aspx |
