The Suffolk Economic Development Authority and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Business Launch program are accepting applications for the “Downtown Suffolk 2019 Business Launch Grant.”

This grant, up to $15,000, is available for existing businesses or those looking to expand in a specially designated downtown Suffolk corridor.

The grant program offers reimbursement of business expenses incurred in the creation or expansion of the business, for work such as marketing, property improvement, inventory purchase and real estate expenses. The new or expanded business must employ at least one additional employee.

Applications for businesses that are restaurants or retail in nature will be considered for this program.

For additional information and to request an application, contact Greg Byrd, assistant director of Suffolk Economic Development, at 514-4042 or gbyrd@suffolkva.us.

Completed applications must be received by Sept. 6.