Six individuals recently graduated from the winter business training series sponsored by the Middle Peninsula Business Development Partnership.

"While the 20 hours of classroom training are completed, MPBDP will continue to work with the graduates as they complete the start-up process of their businesses," said Candie Newman program director for MPBDP.

The graduates attended sessions led by local professionals speaking on topics such as developing a business plan, accounting, and other aspects of starting and running a business.

The winter grads include Amy Fowlkes of Gloucester, Jay Foster of Mathews, Stacey Reed of Middlesex County, Joseph Montalbano of King William County, Temple Grant of Essex County, and Nancy Brown of Northumberland County.

Since 2000, MPBDP has helped over 1,600 entrepreneurs from over 400 functioning small businesses employing 560 people in the region, Newman said. The agency has helped with arranging loans totaling $922,500 to 35 enterprise...