Entrepreneurship education, support and grant program coming to downtown Suffolk

SUFFOLK, Virginia – The Suffolk Economic Development Authority has netted $45,000 in state funding for Downtown Suffolk to launch more small businesses. The Suffolk grant is one of five Community Business Launch (CBL) awards recently announced by Governor Ralph Northam. The grants, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), are designed to assist communities in their pursuit of independently owned storefront business growth and development.

In Suffolk, the goal of the CBL will be to identify local entrepreneurs; equip them with business operating fundamentals and prepare them in a business plan and pitch competition, where up to $15,000 can be won by at least 3 new and expanding business ventures in Downtown Suffolk. A series of mandatory instructional workshops will kickoff TUESDAY, October 2, 2018, at 5:30 p.m., and continue EVERY TUESDAY EVENING UNTIL TUESDAY, November 13th. The mandatory instructional workshops will be held at the Suffolk Executive Offices, 425 W. Washington Street, 2nd floor, Suffolk, VA 23434. Those participating will then complete a business plan for review and an opportunity to present their business to a panel of judges in order to win grant funding towards their new endeavor.”

Public information overview sessions on the program will be held Tuesday, September 11th, at 8:00 a.m. and again at 6:00 p.m. at Suffolk Executive Offices, 425 W. Washington Street, 2nd floor, Suffolk, VA 23434. For additional information, questions, or to register to participate, contact Greg Byrd, Assistant Director, Suffolk Economic Development, at 757-514-4042, or gbyrd@suffolkva.us.