Doing Business in Suffolk

Small Business Assistance

“There are countless rewarding opportunities in Suffolk to grow your business and make new lifelong friends.”
– LeOtis Williams, Owner LW’s Lawn Service

Virginia Business One Stop

The Business One Stop walks a new business owner through each step they’ll need to complete in order to establish their new business, including:

  • Federal and state tax registration
  • Forms
  • Minority business certification
  • Professional and local business licenses
  • The eVA system procurement registration

U.S. & Virginia Small Business Administration

The U.S. and Virginia Small Business Administration (SBA) helps businesses start or grow by providing assistance with insurance, tax credits, foreign market expansion, incentives and financing options.

The SBA Resource Guide is a valuable resource tool.

Virginia Department of Business and Supplier Diversity

Formerly the Department of Business Assistance (DBA) and the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise DMBE.

The newly formed (2016) Virginia Department of Business and Supplier Diversity’s (SBSD) mission is to promote access to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s contracting opportunities by administrating the certification process §2.2 1604, SWaM, DBE etc.

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority

The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) is Virginia’s economic development and business financing arm, they help banks make loans to businesses that can demonstrate repayment ability where the bank needs additional collateral support or a secondary repayment source. Support can be via economic development direct loans, grants or bank support.

Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce helps business members succeed, drives regional economic growth and enhances the quality of life of the region’s residents.

Call the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce at 757-622-2312.

Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads, Inc.

The Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads is part of a statewide network to provide management, technical and other assistance to the region’s small business community.

757 Angels

757 Angels connects qualified investors with vetted companies. Angels look for new innovative companies that can grow quickly in sales and value (creating jobs along the way). In addition to financial capital, angels mentor and coach their portfolio companies, often leading to more healthy growth. They introduce entrepreneurs to potential customers and investors, see around potential problem areas, and help the start-up firms gain credibility in their fields.

Old Dominion University Strome Entrepreneurial Center

Old Dominion University Strome Entrepreneurial Center will guide student entrepreneurs across the entire life cycle of the entrepreneurial process – from idea through the planning, research, analysis, startup and initial operations stages.

Call Old Dominion University Strome Entrepreneurial Center at 757-683-6000.

Veterans Business Outreach Center

The Hampton Roads Veterans Business Outreach Center (HRVBOC) is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.

Call the HRVBOC at 757-683-5505.

Service Corps of Retired Executives

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) of Hampton Roads is comprised of active and retired business men and women who provide clients with free and confidential business counseling.

Contact SCORE of Hampton Roads by calling 757-455-9338.

Suffolk Workforce Development Center

The City of Suffolk Workforce Development Center’s mission is to assist our citizens with the resources necessary to promote a more meaningful and productive way of life.

The Center has partnered with many other agencies to create a one-stop facility to meet the needs of our citizens and our business community.

Our goals include connecting potential students with training and education, school grants, federal grant funded training (when available) and tuition assistance. The Center endeavors to match job seekers with employers. Training for skills and certifications may be offered to qualified candidates.