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Date 4-26-06
Contact Shelia White 228.865.4573
Author Jason Sherwood
WITH PHOTO
Gulfport—An
economic development professional hosted by the Gulf Coast Business
Assistance Center (GCBAC) recently came to south Mississippi to
volunteer assistance to coastal businesses in recovery post-Katrina.
Frank Shap of Oakland,
Md., was one of five economic development professionals sent by
the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), in a partnership
with the University of Southern Mississippi’s GCBAC, who volunteered
his expertise to aid in the area economy’s rebound.
In conversations before
his arrival, Shap expressed his desire to “be out of the office”
and into the business community. Jeffrey Brewer, director of the
GCBAC, says this compliments the mission of the center as well.
“We appreciated that
he wanted to assist small businesses on a one-on-one basis,” Brewer
said. “So, we developed a list of businesses and mapped out each
one. Mr. Shap fulfilled his duties by completing the list of about
100 small businesses.”
One business that Mr.
Shap assisted was Hall’s Engraving. The small business located on
D’Iberville Blvd. is owned and operated by Tina Woody. Woody says
the cancellation of some youth-sport leagues and the closing of
the casinos had hurt her business. Having sustained substantial
physical damage, the business was also in need of economic recovery.
Mr. Shap was able to offer guidance and encouragement to guide Woody
with marketing suggestions in identifying, locating and contacting
her market after the storm.
“Everyone I met was positive
about the future and had a big ‘thanks’ for me as a volunteer in
their community,” said Shap. “I was very moved by the spirit of
the people I met on the Gulf Coast. The coast will be better than
ever, thanks to its resilient and optimistic residents. I got more
back from them than I gave. It was a real pleasure to spend the
week in Biloxi. I will be back, next time with the family.”
The center is currently
coordinating with the IEDC to host more developers in May and hopes
to eventually become a mainstay and point of contact for all small
businesses on the coast.
Click to enlarge
Tina Woody, left, owner/operator of Hall’s Engraving in
D’Iberville, received assistance helping her business recover from
Hurricane Katrina from Frank Shap, an economic development volunteer
from Oakland, Md.
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