News Archive

Hosted by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)Discover how the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) can help your business thrive while fostering a more accessible workplace. Small to mid-sized businesses in Minnesota can receive reimbursements of up to $30,000 for providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and...Continue Reading

Melody was a Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) program participant at the Fergus Falls office of Leading CareerForce partner Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP). Melody was formerly incarcerated and is currently in recovery from addiction; she overcame these significant barriers to employment and is now working full-time and progressing toward...Continue Reading

Team members from the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (CEP) attended the annual conference for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This state-level conference featured valuable discussions about building community connections, establishing adult career pathways, and empowering workers through technology.The conference also...Continue Reading

Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. is proud to support Minnesota RETAIN (Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network) by promoting the valuable services available for individuals seeking to return to work after an illness or injury and employers who need support to identify and fund necessary accommodations. RETAIN is a free,...Continue Reading

“At the age of 29 I reached a point of complete hopelessness in my life. I was caught in a seemingly endless cycle of directionless chaos. I would find someone to move in with, lie to an employer about having graduated high school so I could get a halfway decent...Continue Reading

Rural Minnesota CEP is currently accepting applications for the 2026-27 Drive for Five cohort. This program offers career counseling, training recommendations, and job placement assistance in one of five in-demand career fields. Drive for Five is designed to help people who traditionally face barriers to employment, including those who are...Continue Reading

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation awarded a year-long contract to the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) to strengthen the early childhood education workforce across the region it serves.The goal of this contract is to expand awareness of early childhood education careers, support participants as they explore training pathways, and help...Continue Reading

After 26 years of dedicated service at the Brainerd Dispatch, Kathryn faced an unexpected layoff that left her uncertain about the future. As a single mother of three, the path forward seemed daunting—especially with her dream of driving a snowplow for the county or state requiring a Commercial Driver’s License...Continue Reading

In 2025, the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) set a goal to enroll 40 participants in its Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) grant. It exceeded expectations with 48 participants, of whom 36 completed credentialed or pre-employment training.By the end of the year, 31 participants entered employment after leaving the program,...Continue Reading

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the grants and assistance I have received through your program to pursue my Registered Nurse (RN) education. Your support has been instrumental in helping me focus on my studies and reduce the financial burden that often comes with higher education.This program...Continue Reading

After becoming unemployed at nearly 50 years old, I found myself facing a future filled with uncertainty. Although I had earned a bachelor's degree earlier in life, the idea of returning to an educational environment after so many years felt daunting. I truly believed that starting over simply wasn't an...Continue Reading

For Immediate ReleaseJanuary 13, 2026St. 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...Continue Reading

The 2026 Workforce Forum, hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with United Way of Cass-Clay and in partnership with the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota, Minnesota DEED Drive for Five and FMHRA, brings together leaders and practitioners like you who care deeply about...Continue Reading

Rural Minnesota Concentration Employment Program (CEP) is proud to launch AgPaths, an initiative that will create agriculture-sector career pathways across the region. AgPaths is made possible through a $500,000 Growing Careers Grant, which is supported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).The AgPaths program enables RMCEP to...Continue Reading

he Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded more than $4.8 million to 39 organizations to provide more than 4,000 young people with workforce development and training opportunities.DEED's Youth at Work Opportunity Grants Program serves youth of color and youth with disabilities who are economically disadvantaged or...Continue Reading

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today awarded $2.4 million to seven local partners to develop and implement agriculture-focused workforce training programs for the Growing Careers initiative."Minnesota farms are facing new challenges because of policies coming out of the federal government," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "DEED's...Continue Reading

When Marmaduke Mounts first connected with Rural MN CEP, he was underemployed but determined to create a better future for his family. With prior experience driving tow and box trucks, Marmaduke knew he had the skills — and the passion — to pursue something more. “I like driving!” he shared...Continue Reading

Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) helps people receiving social security disability benefits learn about their options if they are interested in returning to work. The Ticket to Work program is completely free and voluntary. Anyone who wants to enter the workforce can meet with the team at RMCEP to...Continue Reading

The Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (CEP) has eight locations across Northwest Minnesota. This allows local career advisors to immerse themselves in the community and really get to know the students and young adults who live there.Supporting job seekers in the region is a team effort, but you might encounter...Continue Reading

By Tina Jaster, Executive Director, RMCEP, Workforce Development Area 2Every year,  RMCEP connects hundreds of residents to jobs, skills training, and career opportunities. These investments don’t just change lives, they strengthen our local economy, helping businesses grow and our community thrive.Our board serves as a bridge between employers, jobseekers, educators,...Continue Reading

For Immediate ReleaseView of the Current Job Search Environment in NW Minnesota[DETROIT LAKES, MN] - Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) and DEED staff along with other Northwest Minnesota workforce development professionals serve thousands of job seekers every year and offer a great sense of the current regional job search...Continue Reading

Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) now provides career services to people re-entering the workforce after involvement in the justice system. The Second Chances, Stronger Futures program is made possible through a $30,000 grant issued under the Perkins statute and through a partnership with the REWIND Center and Perham 180.“At...Continue Reading