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Growing Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Operation JumpStart - a microenterprise development programThe Delta Regional Authority recognizes the importance of small businesses and entrepreneurship to the economy. Small businesses account for the majority of employer firms, employ half of all private sector employees and pay 44% of the total U.S. private payroll. Small firms produce 13 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms do and the innovation of American entrepreneurs will allow the U.S. to continue to compete in the global economy.

The country’s small businesses are vitally important to our past success and critical to creating a robust economy in the future.

Chairman Masingill is committed to supporting the growth of small businesses in the Delta region as an economic driver and job creation tool. 

DRA supports a variety of activities to promote small businesses and entrepreneurship in the Delta region. These activities help diversify the region's economic base, create and save jobs, increase the competitiveness of existing businesses, foster the development and use of innovative technologies, and enhance entrepreneurial activity.

With support from the Delta Regional Authority in summer 2011, the Delta Region Microenterprise Development Alliance presents a series of certification workshops designed to equip organizations with the tools and training needed to jump-start their Microenterprise development efforts.

  • Giving entrepreneurs greater access to capital, including technical assistance support ranging from financial literacy to accessing venture and angel capital funds.

  • Educating and training entrepreneurs through trade education programs and startup capital initiatives such as Operation Jump-Start.

  • Promoting sector and regional based approaches to maximize the economic strengths of local communities; and facilitating strategic support for business incubators and other forms of technical assistance.

DRA collaborates with the SBA, USDA, HUD and all other federal agencies to improve the availability and impact of quality affordable capital in the distressed Delta region.