The Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center, along with other area business partners, is sponsoring a “Leading Edge Strategic Planning Series” for new and experienced business owners and managers, according to an SBDC news release.

The 12-week course will begin Jan. 28 and will continue through April 15.

Courses are appropriate for all business types, including nonprofits and agriculture, SBDC said.

The series is intended to help business leaders learn how to manage finances, budget funds, understand customers, establish good pricing and marketing practices, learn to profit, test ideas, explore possibilities and determine feasibility, gain access to resources, and design a business that works for a business owner’s specific needs, the release said.

Full tuition is $300 for the entire course or $50 per session. Scholarships may be available.

Classes will take place from 6 until 9 p.m. in the Education Business Hall room 110, on the Fort Lewis College campus.

The tuition includes 36 hours of instruction from qualified presenters, coverage for two representatives from a business to attend, five hours of individual counseling, access to SBDC resources, opportunities to address individual needs and cash awards for the top three business plans submitted, the release said.

Other organizations sponsoring the series are Regional 9 Economic Development District, Durango Chamber of Commerce, La Plata County Economic Development Alliance, Fort Lewis College and La Plata County.

To register, visit https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=1703400079 or call Mary Shepherd at 247-7009.

vguthrie@durangoherald.com