The Launching Entrepreneurs Across Rural Networks (LEARN) program will host an open house at the Demopolis Higher Education Center tomorrow, June 8 from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is sponsored by the UWA Small Business Development Center.

LEARN helps emerging entrepreneurs in rural communities by providing free business training and one-on-one business counseling to laid-off workers and veterans.

The program was created by Alabama’s Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the University of Alabama as a response to Alabama’s growing unemployment rate. The current rate of 11 percent creates a demand for employment options for those affected by company closings. Also, with the slowing economy and the knowledge that 52% of the American workforce is employed by small businesses, the LEARN Program sees a need to develop more options for displaced workers within the state. Entrepreneurship is one option offered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

The equal opportunity program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. LEARN is a three-year grant stemming from the Growing America Through Entrepreneurship (GATE) project.

For additional information contact the LEARN office at 1-866-968-5525 or visit www.learnala.org.