Free business classes start Oct. 20 in 3 NE Oregon cities
Published 6:00 pm Thursday, October 9, 2025
ENTERPRISE — The Northeast Oregon Economic Development District will offer three free, in-person “Foundations: Business Planning” classes beginning Oct. 20 in Baker City, La Grande and Enterprise.
The six-week workshop helps aspiring and current business owners build the foundation for a successful business. Students will join a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs and gain all the skills needed to turn a business into a reality.
Throughout the course, students will develop knowledge in operations, financials, research and development and marketing strategies. Graduates of the course will leave with a business plan, a clear vision and specific tasks to guide future work.
Lisa Dawson, executive director of the NEOEDD, will teach the course. She has more than 10 years of experience teaching foundations and other business classes in Baker, Union and Wallowa counties.
To RSVP for classes and to learn the exact location, follow links on the events page at neoedd.org/news-events:
• The Baker City class will run Monday, Oct. 20 to Nov. 24 or Dec. 1. It will be Dec. 1 if the class decides to skip the Monday of Thanksgiving week. Classes are 6-9 p.m.
• The La Grande class will run Tuesday, Oct. 21 to Nov. 25 or Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m. It will be Dec. 2 if the class decides to skip the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week.
• The Enterprise class will be Thursday, Oct. 23 to Dec. 4 (No class Nov. 27), 6-9 p.m.
For more information about the class, contact Dawson at LisaDawson@neoedd.org or 541-426-3598 ext. 1.