In an effort to get the right marketing tools to the Greensburg area small businesses, the Rural Entrepreneur Network (REN) will be holding an advanced workshop for rural entrepreneurs in Decatur County.

The event, scheduled for 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on May 20, will be held at the Greensburg Community Learning Center. According to REN director Jim Roudebush, the audience will be small business owners in and around Greensburg and the county who need help in marketing and customer development. The workshop is also open for not-for-profit organizations who typically have huge marketing needs with only a small promotion budget.

REN is a not-for-profit organization supported by a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

The small business marketing tools workshop, called “BIG BANG for Small Bucks,” wiill feature a presentation of 11 powerful marketing tools. The tools, when used correctly, can have serious consumer impact with a small budget.

Roudebush is an entrepreneur himself, and a college lecturer from central Indiana, and will serve as the evening’s instructor and facilitator. Roudebush has an extensive background in marketing and public relations.

“In my work with small businesses and rural entrepreneurs, marketing budgets are very limited,” Roudebush explained. “So this workshop will be helpful to those wanting to market their businesses without spending big dollars.”

The cost to attend the REN small business marketing tools workshop is only $10 for early registrations. Early registrants must register seven days in advance of the workshop, and if those interested register with a family member or friend, the workshop will only cost $5 for each additional person. All registrations after the early registration period ends, or at the door, will be $15 per attendee. Roudebush claims that comparable workshops can cost more than $100, but grant monies have been provided to assist with the cost.

To register for the event, those interested can call Hoosier Heartland RC and D at 317-290-3250, or email hhrcd@hhrcd.org.