The Portsmouth Department of Economic Development is set to host its annual “How to Do Business in Portsmouth” event on May 28 at Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth. The event, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is free and open to business owners, vendors, and entrepreneurs interested in starting or expanding a small business and connecting with city contracts and services.
Brian Donahue, Director of Economic Development, emphasized the purpose of the event: “Whether you are looking to start a new business or grow an existing one, this event is designed to remove any mystery about doing business in the City of Portsmouth. We want business owners to have all the tools they need to succeed in Portsmouth.”
This year’s program includes new expert panel discussions and breakout sessions aimed at providing practical advice and insights into the city’s procurement process. This initiative follows Mayor Shannon Glover’s recent State of the City address where he highlighted Portsmouth as the region’s “Small Business Capitol” and announced that 742 new businesses were established last year. He also introduced The LINC, a new Innovation District planned between Downtown and Midtown.
The event targets start-ups, entrepreneurs, vendors, and those interested in engaging with city operations. Attendees will have opportunities to meet city officials, learn about procurement procedures, and hear experiences from successful local business owners. Although attendance is free, seating is limited to 200 participants; pre-registration at AccessPortsmouthVA.com is recommended.
Event details are as follows:
– Date: Wednesday, May 28
– Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
– Location: Tidewater Community College – Portsmouth Campus
– Venue: Student Center, 2nd floor
– Address: 120 Campus Drive, Portsmouth VA
Sponsors include the Portsmouth Department of Economic Development and the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. Additional support comes from Portsmouth Public Schools, Portsmouth Redevelopment & Housing Authority, and the City of Portsmouth.
For further information on registration or event specifics, visit AccessPortsmouthVA.com.
