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The MyBiz Alabama-Mississippi Network (MyBizAM) is a network of agencies, non-profits, and resource providers committed to improving opportunities for citizens in Alabama and Mississippi to start, own, and expand businesses. MyBizAM originated as a product of the West Alabama – East Mississippi Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WAEM WIRED) demonstration funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Today, MyBizAM serves all of Mississippi and much of Alabama.
MyBizAM seeks to connect entrepreneurs, communities and service providers into a system of support for seeding and growing entrepreneurs in Alabama and Mississippi. It consists of four main components: the MyBiz.am website, the Resource Navigator and other tools, Community Connections and Start It! Cards, and the MyBizAM Network.
MyBiz.AM
MyBiz.AM provides a gateway to local, regional, and global services and connectivity among entrepreneurs, service providers, communities, community colleges, entrepreneur coaches and mentors. Niche Enterprises provide information and links to unique types of entrepreneurship. Blogs provided by experts address issues of current interest. New articles provide useful information to entrepreneurs.
The buttons Have An Idea, Ready to Start, and Want to Grow link to pages providing “how to” advice to entrepreneurs. Links to libraries, resources providers, and community support can be found by clicking on the Tools buttons.
Resource Navigator
A unique tool developed by KC Sourcelink, the Resource Navigator sorts resource providers by by zip codes and types of service to help entrepreneurs find the nearest providers who can meet their needs. The Resource Navigator also provides Google maps, web links, and contact information.
Use the Resource Navigator to find your nearest Small Business Development Center, university or community college program, or community-based support provider. A complete listing can be found at the Resource Directory button.
The Community Connections button provides access to community partners in MyBizAM and their Start It! Cards.
The Resource Library provides access to MyBizAM documents, links to development and business support organizations in both states, entrepreneur toolkits, and public libraries.
Community Connections
MyBizAM provides communities tools to support local entrepreneurs. Included are:
- “Start It!” Cards displaying community points-of-contact for utilities, licensing, permitting, tax information and local regulations. Physical Start It! Cards are distributed in each community. Virtual Start It! Cards are displayed on MyBiz.AM.
- Contact information for community entrepreneur champions.
- Links to MyBiz.AM and local support organizations.
These tools help communities demonstrate commitment to local entrepreneurs and, in turn, help entrepreneurs access help and support.
MyBiz Alabama-Mississippi Network
MyBizAM adds new network partners almost every day.
Key partners in the MyBizAM are community and junior colleges. Eight joined with The Montgomery Institute to develop and pilot MyBizAM: Alabama Southern, Bevill State, Shelton State, and Wallace – Selma in Alabama, and East Central, East Mississippi, Jones County, and Meridian in Mississippi. Together, these partners developed the Start It! Cards, visited 146 communities, recruited Community Connectors and entrepreneur champions, and identified Resource Partners. The other 11 community colleges in Mississippi have now extended MyBizAM to communities throughout the state. Project LEARN operated by the University of Alabama is building out MyBizAM through parts of Alabama.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Governor Haley Barbour, Governor Bob Riley, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the University of Alabama, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the Small Business Administration have been key supporters in the start-up of the MyBizAM program.
The Montgomery Institute, a regional leadership development non-profit in Meridian, MS, manages the MyBizAM program.
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