These tough times are calling for people to take an out-of-the-box approach to earn money...

Today, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce hosted its first-ever Inventors Workshop to help aspiring inventors in our area.

The two-hour event featured speakers from Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute, giving folks advice on how to get their inventions on the market.

"I saw a way that I can improve the equipment that I'm working with and I do have a patent on my invention, but I needed to know some other information," said Irma McNeal, inventor from Valdosta.

"This will be their first entry into help that's available that they didn't know about," said Ed Musser, who advises local inventors. "Here's an outlet that they can go to. They can contact these people at Georgia Tech and they will help them pursue their goals."

The Chamber hopes the workshop will help local entrepreneurs to spark business growth in our area.

The workshop was funded by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

For more information, go to www.freeinventorshelp.com or visit innovate.gatech.edu.