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 (Healthcare 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