A high level of interest in Suffolk’s Economic Development Community Business Launch program has necessitated a change in location for the workshop series.

The free workshops will begin at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 2 and take place every Tuesday following until Nov. 13. They now will take place at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave., in the Taylor Ballroom.

The workshops are open to everyone free of charge, but registration is required to attend. The workshops will feature experts in a plethora of topics to help those participating formulate a business plan by the end of the seven-week program.

At the end of the workshop series, those who have attended all seven workshops will have the chance to pitch their plan for a brick-and-mortar new business or expansion in downtown Suffolk and potentially win start-up cash and other benefits.

The Community Business Launch program is designed to assist communities in their approach to fostering new small business growth. Suffolk applied for funding and received $45,000 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

To register or for more information, contact Gregory Byrd at 514-4042 or gbyrd@suffolkva.us.