Jackson is not necessarily a short drive from Lafayette County. But for women and minorities who are looking to get a leg up on opening a business and could use some tips and insight, it could be worth a trip.

There are plenty of women- and minority-owned businesses right here in the LOU area and they can now benefit from a new Women’s Business Center that will open in Jackson.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Mississippi District Office announced the opening is coming as a result of a grant to the Mississippi Minority Business Alliance. The center will offer the business tools necessary to achieve self-reliance and will offer services like business counseling, workshops, plan development and assistance securing financing.

The numbers of minority- and women-owned businesses across the state has risen in the past few years, and many of those numbers are due to rural Mississippi providing those opportunities.

If you have ever thought about opening your own business and fit into one of those categories, you are a part of a rising trend in the state. Rest assured resources are available now and in the future for you to give your dreams a shot.