The Albert Lea Entrepreneur Advancement Program will host its next training program from 5:50 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Oct. 4 to Nov. 1.

According to a press release, the goal of the course is to provide Freeborn County’s most promising entrepreneurs the connections, resources and skills to build local businesses into viable ventures.

Registration for the course is open to all, with preference given to residents of Freeborn County.

The subsidized course cost is $195 per entrepreneur, including course materials, which is due prior to the first class. If a participant attends all five classes in their entirety, they will be rebated back $100 for an actual course cost of $95.

Enrollment is limited to 20 participants and there is a minimum required of 10 to hold the class. The application deadline is Friday.

Interested individuals must complete an application. Contact the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency for enrollment information at 507-373-3930 or jillayneraetz@growalbertlea.com.

Topics during the training course will include success planning, market planning, operations planning, cash flow planning and presentation skills.

The instructor for the course will be Bryan Stading. Stading is a native of Nebraska and has lived in Southern Minnesota since 1998. According to a press release, Stading has had numerous experiences with business professionals and owners from both small and large companies throughout his career. He has a strong passion for working with entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Since 2004, Stading has served as the executive director and senior business facilitator of the Regional Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation located in Mankato. RCEF is a non-profit entrepreneur and business development organization.

Since the beginning, Stading and the RCEF program have worked with thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses to develop their ideas, business plan, prepare finance packages, identify new markets, and much more. He has facilitated hundreds of start-up businesses and worked on numerous expansion projects primarily in the south central region of Minnesota.

Recognizing the importance of collaboration and partnerships, Bryan has established great working relationships between RCEF and Blue Earth County, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Martin County Economic Development Authority, Faribault County Economic Development Authority, South Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center, Greater Mankato Growth and the Department of Employment and Economic Development, to name a few.