Businesses getting boost from Coast Chamber of Commerce grant program

Some local businesses are getting a much-needed boost thanks to grants given out by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce.

A-m and noon until mid-august.- - some local businesses are - getting a much-needed boost,- thanks to grants given out by - the mississippi gulf coast- chamber of commerce.- while the chamber's fundraising- capabilities have - been limited, news 25's toni- miles shows us how the- assistance they're providing- south mississippi businesses is- still going strong when help is- needed most.- - nats: "all sharks are still in..."

The yard milkshake bar survived- the shark tank, but - less than one year after local- entrepreneurs lynn hammons- and shelley creel opened the- chain's first new franchise - - - - location in d'iberville,- covid-struck.

- lynn hammons, co-owner, the yar- milkshake bar: "this is a shark in itself.

It - certainly has its challenges.

W- had to shut down some time in - april.

<splice> we actually shu- down because our expenses were- greater than the income.

We - opened- back up in may.

We've gotten a- lot of support from the - community.

We're at about 50- - percent dining capacity now.- we're getting a lot of support.- - - - the chamber has been helpful.

- we're doing everything we can t- keep our doors open - and keep our heads above water- and the mississippi gulf coast- chamber of- - - - commerce has provided a grant t- keep us open and we appreciate- that."

Toni miles, news 25: "this is just one of about 40 local- businesses that got a - boost and received a grant from- the mississippi gulf coast- chamber of- commerce's small business grant- program.

Money is awarded each- year to - qualifying businesses in our- - - - area with 25 employees or less.- rachael kiesling, mississippi - gulf coast chamber of commerce:- "we started this program- post-katrina because obviously,- everybody was in need, and- there was an opportunity for th- mississippi gulf coast chamber- of- commerce to step in and provide- assistance.

Through the years w- continued it.

We feel like we - could help businesses with- expenses such as- marketing, equipment, - beautification, and it's been a- very successful program.- of course, in a post-covid- world, those opportunities- change, and what businesses - need is cash, and they need - money in their businesses and i- - - - the chamber can provide an- injection of cash to help with- some of those additional- expenses or funds - lost, we're here to do that."

It's been a life-line for local- business owners like lynn - hammons, who as a life-long - saints fan, knows how to hang i- there,- take the hits, and still- believe...- lynn hammons, co-owner, the yar- milkshake bar: "we're going to get through - this somehow, someway.

We might- as well do it together!"

In d'iberville, toni miles, new- 25.