A major revision in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program more than triples the eligible contract amount, from $2 million to $6.5 million, the Agency will guarantee on surety bonds for both public and private contracts. The higher surety bond guarantee limits are expected to help construction and service sector small businesses gain greater access to private and public contracts and secure larger contracts vital to small business growth.

IRS Special Edition Tax Tip 2013-03

The Earned Income Tax Credit has made the lives of working people a little easier since 1975. EITC can be a boost for workers who earned $50,270 or less in 2012. Yet the IRS estimates that one out of five eligible taxpayers fails to claim their EITC each year. The IRS wants everyone who is eligible for the credit to get the credit that they’ve earned..

Here are the top five things the IRS wants you to know about this credit.

The Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2013 Masters Program. The program was developed in 2007 to identify and develop emerging leaders of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Typically the class size is limited to 25, and this group becomes an effective regional "think tank" for one year.

To access the Masters Program 2013 application go to: www.msgcbc.org  There is a link on the Home Page or go to the “Programs & Policy” page to access the application.