Albert Lea Entrepreneur Advancement Program, in partnership with Riverland Community College, is offering a three-night course for small business owners and entrepreneurs. The course will focus on three marketing topics: the marketing bridge, digital literacy and unique selling proposition.

The course will be from 6 to 8 p.m. March 20, March 22 and March 23 at Riverland Community College’s Albert Lea campus.

The course cost is $30 per attendee. Registration for the course is open to all, with preference given to the residents of Freeborn County. Interested individuals must complete an application.

For more information, contact the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency for enrollment information at 507-373- 3930 or aleap@growalbertlea.com.

Registration is also available online at www.growalbertlea.com in the events calendar. The registration deadline is March 1.

The course instructor, Eric Shoars, has over three decades of experience in media, marketing, and management in addition to a Ph.D. in organizational management and leadership.

According to a press release, his experience and expertise have made him a logical choice for businesses to help solve the problems the encounter on a daily basis. Dr. Shoars’ smart, strategic, and successful systems are what helps business owners implement and execute meaningful and profitable change.

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 5 new businesses and 15 new jobs.

Since the program started in June of 2015, ALEAP participants have started 5 new businesses and created 18 new jobs.

ALEDA is the local economic development organization made up of two separate entities – the City of Albert Lea Port Authority and Greater Jobs Inc.

New or expanding business owners looking for assistance, or who are interested in more information about the ALEAP program can contact ALEDA at 507-373-3930.