Gloucester County Economic Development has lined up a series of free workshops to assist small businesses in May. Two sessions are planned on May 22, while three are scheduled for May 23.

The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity is providing the presenters. “This is something big in the county,” Gloucester Economic Development Director Sherry Spring said, since it will help business leaders learn techniques to broaden their business by tapping into state resources.

The first workshop, titled “Selling to the Commonwealth,” will be held from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 22, at the Main Street Center, Health Department entrance.

A release said that last year, the state spent more than $6 billion on products and services—products and services that local businesses probably sell. For every $100 the state spent on goods and services, $37 went to a Small, Women-owned and Minority-owned business. The purpose of the SWaM certification...