The deadline for the five-night course offered by ALEAP in partnership with Riverland Community College “Planning for Success: Writing your Business Plan” has been extended to Friday. If the minimum goal of registrants is not met, the class will be canceled.

The course dates are Jan. 10, Jan. 17, Jan. 24, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Classes run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Riverland’s Albert Lea campus. The course costs $195 per entrepreneur, including course materials, due prior to the first class. If the entrepreneur attends all five classes in their entirety, they will be rebated back $100 for an actual course cost of $95. Topics to be covered by instructor Bryan Stading will be success planning, market planning, operations planning, cash flow planning and presentation skills.

Registration for the course is open to all, with preference given to the residents of Freeborn County. Interested individuals must complete an application. Contact the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency for enrollment information at 507-373-3930 or aleap@growalbertlea.com.

Instructor Bryan Stading is the executive director and senior business facilitator of the Regional Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation in Mankato. Throughout his career, Stading has had numerous experiences with business professionals and owners from small and large companies, according to a press release. He has a strong passion for working with entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The ALEAP program is an initiative to promote and assist Albert Lea and Freeborn County entrepreneurs through a multi-faceted approach.  Features of the program are monthly networking gatherings on the third Thursday of the month, educational and training opportunities, available incubator and co-working space shared with other entrepreneurs, and micro lending/gap financing options.  The program is housed under the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency umbrella and is a partnership between ALEDA, the local Blandin Community Leadership cohort, Riverland Community College and the Riverland Foundation.  The two-year goals for the ALEAP program are to create five new businesses and 15 new jobs.  Since the program started in June 2015, ALEAP participants have started five new businesses and created 18 new jobs.

ALEDA is the local economic development organization of two separate entities – the City of Albert Lea Port Authority and Greater JobsInc.  If you are a new or expanding business looking for assistance, or are interested in more information about the ALEAP program, contact ALEDA at 507-373-3930.