Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           www.selu.edu/NewsEvents
    Date: 1/29/97
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple  119

FASTTRAC BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAMS TO BE OFFERED
     HAMMOND -- An intense entrepreneurial training program will be coming to Hammond
and Mandeville in March, sponsored by Southeastern Louisiana University's Small Business
Development Center and corporate and economic development partners.
     The Premier FastTrac program is a tested, comprehensive business development program that
equips entrepreneurs with skills to develop and manage business ventures.
     The program is structured in two tracts, explained Small Business Development Center
Training Coordinator Dedra Fourmaux, Northshore area coordinator for the FastTrac programs. 
     "FastTrac I," she said, "is for entrepreneurs considering new ventures. Through 27 hours of
course work --  nine three-hour sessions -- it concentrates on entry strategies, business opportunity
research and risk analysis. Graduates leave with a strong feasibility plan for their prospective
business."
     FastTrac II, Fourmaux said, is designed for existing companies that want to sustain, expand
and grow their businesses. The program's 11 three-hour sessions focus on developing new marketing
tactics and identifying growth opportunities and alternative sources of money. "The end result of
FastTrac II is a comprehensive business plan," Fourmaux said.
     FastTrac I will be offered in Room 125 of the SLU University Center on University Ave. in
Hammond beginning March 10. The class will be held on Monday nights from 6-9 p.m. through May
5. FastTrac II will be taught at Hibernia National Bank, 3840 Emerald Road, Hwy. 22, in
Mandeville. The 11 sessions run from March 13-June 5 and will be held from 6-9 p.m.
     FastTrac I costs $625, while the fee for FastTrac II is $750. A limited number of partial
                                 (MORE) 
FASTTRAC -- Add One
scholarships are available, Fourmaux said.
     Classes are limited to 25 participants. Anyone interested in applying for either class should
complete an application and submit a resume by February 19. 
     Fourmaux said the Premier FastTrac programs began in 1986. Because of its proven success,
FastTrac is being disseminated nationally and today is offered in 37 states and has an alumni group of
more than 12,000 entrepreneurs. Longitudinal studies which track each graduate's progress are
conducted annually have demonstrated FastTrac's significant impact. The studies show that 90 percent
of the graduates are still in business five years after graduation, as compared to a 10-15 percent
national average for entrepreneurs who do not receive training. Forty-50 percent of FastTrac's
graduate's more than double their sales within two years of graduation.
     For applications and more information, call Fourmaux at 549-3831. FastTrac information is
also available on the World Wide Web at www.emkf.org/cel/eti/FastTrac/index.html.
                                 - SLU -
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