DEED Awards $17.3 Million for Workforce Development and Job Training

For Immediate Release

January 13, 2026

St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced more than $17.3 million for workforce grants that are expected to serve more than 3,500 Minnesotans.

The 59 organizations receiving Pathways to Prosperity program grant awards support economically disadvantaged adults, providing workforce development and training opportunities that increase career awareness, basic skills education and training, and more.

“Helping Minnesotans on their journey to find fulfilling, family-sustaining careers is a core tenet of the work we do at DEED, and one we take great pride in,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “Programs like Pathways to Prosperity work to create an even playing field, so community members facing obstacles to employment are able to overcome them.”

“The grants announced today will provide countless development resources and opportunities for Minnesotans seeking job training, skills education and industry-recognized certifications,” said DEED Deputy Commissioner Marc Majors. “DEED’s partnership with our grantees will create long lasting, positive impact on thousands of Minnesotans lives.”

Funding comes from three of DEED’s Pathways to Prosperity programs:

• In the On-Ramp to Career Pathways program, providers offer contextualized basic skills training so that participants may later move directly into employment or are prepared to enter higher skill level trainings.
  The Bridge to Career Pathways program provides funding for individuals seeking to improve or obtain skills to earn a recognized credential for in-demand industries.
  The Individualized Training Pathway program support participants seeking training in health care, Information Technology (IT), skilled trades and advanced manufacturing.

Pathways to Prosperity grantees include:

On Ramp to Career Pathways projects:

• AccessAbility Inc., Minneapolis - $200,000
• Alight, Minneapolis - $300,000
• American Indian OIC, Minneapolis - $270,000
• Arrive Ministries, Richfield - $250,000
• Avivo, Minneapolis - $300,000
• CAPI USA, Minneapolis - $300,000
• Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc., Monticello - $200,000
• Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES), St. Paul - $300,000
• Faribault Public Schools, Faribault - $175,000
• Hiawatha Valley Adult Education/Red Wing Public Schools, Red Wing - $300,000
• International Institute of Minnesota, St. Paul - $160,000
• JET Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, Virginia - $185,000
• Jobs Foundation dba Repowered, St. Paul - $200,000
• Meta 5 Family Resiliency Partnership Program/Central Lakes College, Brainerd - $200,000
• Minnesota Training Partnership, St. Paul - $300,000
• MVAC/South Central Workforce Council, Mankato - $300,000
• Northwest Indian Community Development Center, Bemidji - $200,000
• Project for Pride in Living, Inc, Minneapolis - $200,000
• Sabathani Community Center, Minneapolis - $200,000
• St. Paul Public Schools, St. Paul - $200,000
• Summit Academy OIC, Minneapolis - $270,000
• The Redemption Project, St. Paul - $200,000
• True North Goodwill, Duluth - $150,000
• Twin Cities R!se, Minneapolis - $300,000
• Workforce Development Inc. (WDI), Rochester - $300,000

Bridge to Career Pathways projects:

• Alexandria Technical & Community College, Alexandria - $320,000
• American Indian OIC, Minneapolis - $350,000
• Anoka County Job Training Center, Blaine - $350,000
• Avivo, Minneapolis - $350,000
• City of Duluth Workforce Development, Duluth - $350,000
• Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES), St. Paul - $300,000
• Emerge (Commercial Driver's License pathway), Minneapolis - $325,000
• Emerge (health care pathway), Minneapolis - $325,000
• Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota, St. Paul - $350,000
• Hired (OfficePro pathway), Minneapolis - $350,000
• International Institute of Minnesota, St. Paul - $375,000
• Jewish Family & Children Services, Golden Valley - $325,000
• Karen Organization of Minnesota, Roseville - $325,000
• Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, St. Paul - $350,000
• Neighbors, Inc (Information Technology pathway), South St. Paul - $300,000
• Neighbors, Inc (Logistics Industry Skills Training pathway), South St. Paul - $210,000
• Northfield Healthy Community Initiative, Northfield - $300,000
• Project for Pride in Living (Building Operations Technician pathway), Minneapolis - $245,000
• Project for Pride in Living (Human Services pathway), Minneapolis - $260,000
• River Bend Nature Center, Faribault - $350,000
• St. Paul Public Schools Adult Basic Education, St. Paul - $250,000
• Somali American Social Service Association, Rochester - $300,000
• Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc, Marshall - $400,000
• Stearns-Benton Employment & Training Council dba Career Solutions, St. Cloud - $350,000
• Tree Trust, St. Paul - $200,000
• White Earth Tribal & Community College, Mahnomen - $325,000
• Workforce Development, Inc (health care pathway), Rochester - $350,000
• YWCA of Minneapolis, Minneapolis - $350,000

Individualized Training Pathway projects:

• CAPI USA, Minneapolis - $450,000
• City of Duluth Workforce Development, Duluth - $290,000
• International Institute of Minnesota, St. Paul - $425,000
• MVAC/South Central Workforce Council - Region 5, Mankato - $500,000
• Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., Detroit Lakes - $425,000
• Somali Medical Association of America, Minneapolis - $400,000

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. Find out how DEED delivers for Minnesota by visiting the DEED website, Do Business, CareerForce.mn.gov, or by following us on social media.

Mary Haugen
Mary.Haugen@state.mn.us