Event information
Date and time
Location
Online course
Contact
Michael Darger, University of Minnesota Extension
Business retention and expansion program lead
[email protected] or 612-625-6246
Business retention and expansion online course
The course features a community economic development model for business retention and expansion (BRE). This approach includes three key steps and broad-based community involvement that allows professionals, stakeholders and volunteers to connect with businesses.
In addition, the course infuses discussion and content on staff-driven, continuous BRE visitation approaches — examining the similarities and differences between continuous BRE methods and University of Minnesota's community economic development BRE model. You will learn how different BRE approaches and methods can be valuable for your economic development situation.
During the course, you will:
- Envision a BRE initiative that fits your professional situation.
- Learn how to organize a community, organization or region to implement a BRE program.
- Understand the various elements of the Connecting Businesses and Community (CBC) approach to BRE and where to learn more (i.e. CBC Handbook).
- Consider the BRE aspects of current topics such as: child care, entrepreneurship, biz transition, and workforce.
- Access BRE resources and networks — please consider the instructors and other participants as part of your network.
The course is designed for economic and community development professionals and stakeholders, community leaders and others who want to conduct a community-led BRE effort.
Costs and discounts
Register by noon on August 14 for early-bird pricing!
- Individual (per person): $800 ($650 early bird)
- Community members/teams*:
- 2-person team: $1,375 ($1,100 early bird)
- 3 to 5-person team: $1,800 ($1,500 early bird)
- Full-time student: $160 — email your transcript to before registering.
*Team discount: We welcome all economic developers to the course. Community-led BRE is all about teamwork, so we encourage teams to attend training together. We offer team discounts for groups from a town or city, county, school district, or other groups of contiguous communities.
Registration
Register by Monday, September 21.
Accommodations
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. To request accommodations for people with disabilities, reach out to the event contact two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Language
This offering is delivered in English. Interpreter services may be available with an advance request.
Find more information about our business retention and expansion course.
Certification
Everyone who completes the course:
- Receives a certificate of accomplishment from University of Minnesota Extension.
- Meets a course requirement to receive a Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI) certification and one-year membership for $75. BREI is an international association that promotes and educates about BRE.