Thousands of American Small Businesses Ask Governors for Help During COVID-19 Crisis Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves Urged to Protect E-Commerce Tools for Small Business

JACKSON, Mississippi (June 11, 2020) – Community leaders and small businesses throughout Mississippi sent a letter calling on Governor Reeves and other state policymakers to preserve access to business- critical digital tools and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and the long recovery period ahead. Led by the Connected Commerce Council (3C), the letter was signed by over 40 Mississippi-based leaders representing a range of digitally empowered small businesses, including Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association in Jackson.

“Access to online tools enables websites, analytics, digital ads, online marketplaces, and e-commerce platforms to empower retailers, restaurants, service providers, and Mississippi small businesses of all types,” wrote Mississippi business leaders. “Now, more than ever, businesses and the Mississippians they serve benefit from the stability, scale, and security of these tools.”

The letter also cautioned Governor Reeves that controversial campaigns against U.S. tech companies like Google and Facebook create unnecessary instability for millions of American small businesses using these tools and services to run and operate their businesses.

“With storefronts closed across the country, the tools offered by companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon have become vital economic lifelines for countless small business owners and entrepreneurs,” said 3C President Jake Ward. “Governor Reeves and leaders like him throughout the state understand what it takes for Mississippi to compete in the digital economy, and they know that now is not the time to put small businesses at a disadvantage or slow their recovery.”

“There’s no denying that the service industry is one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic. Without digital tools like Google search, online advertising, etc., there’s no way we could have maintained the same level of service for our customers across Mississippi during this challenging time,” said Pat Fontaine, executive director of Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association in Jackson.

“The industry is struggling financially but determined to serve our customers in a safe manner. We rely on access to free and low-cost digital platforms and tools to stay connected, serve our community and keep our people employed. As we work toward reopening the economy, it’s important elected leaders understand the role technology is now playing in helping our communities make a strong comeback.”

A copy of the letter and a list of signers is available here.