St. Paul -- The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced nearly $4 million in grants to 16 community and nonprofit organizations, the latest in the agency's broader effort to help grow Minnesota's workforce.

The grants are for two funding programs, Southeast Asian Economic Disparities Relief and Getting to Work, that help remove barriers Minnesota workers may face on their path to finding and retaining good-paying jobs.

"DEED is working hard to grow the state's labor force and help more Minnesotans secure good jobs with livable wages. The Southeast Asian Economic Disparities Relief and Getting to Work programs are two of the ways we're tackling barriers Minnesotans may face in pursuit of good jobs," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "These programs address factors many take for granted – like reliable transportation or basic training for high-demand job skills – which can help to elevate those who are struggling or stuck on the sidelines into good jobs that enable them to support themselves and their families."

"DEED works collaboratively with community organizations to understand their specific participants' strengths and needs, and partners with them to deliver programs and services to support Minnesotans statewide. The grantees announced today are vital to training and preparing Minnesotans to access employment with family-sustaining wages," said DEED Workforce Development Deputy Commissioner Marc Majors.

The Southeast Asian Economic Disparities Relief fund program awarded $475,000 competitive grants to help four nonprofit organizations increase training capacity within the communities they serve. The grants will fund training programs that provide workforce recruitment and development, job creation and community outreach.

The following organizations were each awarded a $475,000 grant for specific workforce development training programs:

• Workforce Development Inc. (Rochester) will provide training and support in the following job and functions: forklift operation, welding, manufacturing, food and beverage service safety, and Certified Nursing Assistants.
• CAPI USA (Minneapolis) will provide training for the following jobs and job functions: nursing assistants, property maintenance (boiler operator and pool operator licensing), and Information Technology support training.
• Karen Organization of Minnesota (Roseville) will partner with Adult Basic Education and local employers to provide incumbent workers with tailored literacy development, resulting in promotion and wage increases.
• Hmong American Partnership (St. Paul) will provide health care-related training in medical terminology, medical office procedures, CPR/first aid and basic life support, and Information Technology-related training.

"DEED's grant enables the Hmong American Partnership to empower low-income Southeast Asians in the seven-county metro area with skills and opportunities for economic advancement that can transform their lives," said Hmong American Partnership President and CEO May yer Thao. "We are honored to steward these funds in developing our clients' talents and helping employers access this valuable, skilled workforce. Together, we are creating professional opportunities that strengthen both Southeast Asian communities and our overall economy."

Getting to Work grants are awarded to organizations to establish and operate programs that provide, repair or maintain motor vehicles to assist economically disadvantaged individuals ages 22 and older in obtaining or maintaining employment.

Grant recipients must also offer workshops or counseling services covering topics such as financial literacy, credit counseling, budgeting for vehicle ownership, vehicle maintenance and repair training.

"The Getting to Work program covers a significant gap by providing vehicle repair support for those with financial needs, and the results are quickly felt by the Minnesotans we serve," said Theresa Flinck, Tri-County Action program director of family resources. "The program helps people who have jobs to maintain their employment without lengthy disruptions when they need vehicle repairs, makes the search process more effective for job seekers who need reliable transportation for interviews, and helps many households remain connected with their communities through family activities that would otherwise be on hold due to vehicle repair needs."

Grants were awarded as follows: