The LSU AgCenter, the Southern University Ag Center and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development will offer e-business training at three Louisiana locations.

“An Introduction to E-Business” will provide information on creating or buying Web services, the basics of eBay, online storefronts, auctions, PayPal and marketing strategies, said Dr. James Barnes, director of the LSU AgCenter’s Delta Rural Development Center in Oak Grove, where the first class was held in September.

The next classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 17 in St. Joseph, March 10 in Tallulah and April 7 in Bastrop.

During the pilot phase of the program, classes were held in Oak Grove, Ruston, New Roads and Winnsboro.

The e-business classes are designed for owners of existing retail and service businesses, people who want to start an Internet business, people operating businesses from their homes, retired individuals seeking new challenges, agricultural producers and people considering alternative employment, Barnes said.

He said the class will teach participants to use the Internet as a business research tool to find new markets or suppliers or to check out the competition. Participants also will learn if a Web presence is right for their business and the process of planning a Web site and marketing it.

Workshop requirements include basic computer and Internet skills, Barnes said. Laptops will be provided for use in the classes.

A $50 supply fee that can be paid online covers all course materials, lunch and refreshments.

Registration begins Feb. 1 on the Internet at www.lsuagcenter.com/drdc. For more information, contact Barnes at (318) 428-3571 or jbarnes@agcenter.lsu.edu.

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Contact: Dr. James Barnes at (318) 428-3571, or jbarnes@agcenter.lsu.edu 

Writer: Mary Ann Van Osdell at (318) 741-7430, ext. 1104, or mvanosdell@agcenter.lsu.edu