Minnesota Receives Recovery Act Funding for Job Training
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Al Franken, Representative Tim Walz, Representative Jim Oberstar, and Representative Betty McCollum announced Minnesota will receive $5.5 million through the Recovery Act to provide reemployment services like job training and career counseling to Minnesotans looking for work.
"Reemployment services provide critical support to Americans who are just looking to support their families in this tough economy," Sen. Klobuchar said. "Counties across Minnesota will now be able to offer vital training and career counseling that will boost the competitiveness of our workforce and help put America back to work."
"I've always said that there's no such thing as a jobless recovery," said Sen. Franken. "This money will help train and rehabilitate thousands of Minnesotans, giving them the skills and support they need to get back to work and back to providing for their families."
"Minnesotans need jobs to raise a family on and to remain competitive, our state needs highly trained workers ready to lead our nation back to economic prosperity," said Rep. Walz. "This funding will help put Minnesotans back to work, in good-paying jobs that will rebuild our economy."
"This is the kind of investment that gives people the opportunity to stop collecting an unemployment check and start collecting a paycheck," said Congressman Jim Oberstar. "This gives the training they need to compete in a tight job market."
"This grant is a lifesaver for dislocated workers in Minnesota," said Congresswoman McCollum. "It will provide training for thousands of Minnesotans as our nation's economy climbs out of this deep recession."
The National Emergency Grant (NEG) that is being awarded to Minnesota will continue to provide reemployment services to participants in 11 workforce service areas who are currently receiving intensive services and/or training, as well as to serve those on waiting lists as a result of unprecedented demand for WIA Dislocated Worker services; about 2,721 workers in total. These services may include skills assessment, basic skills training, individual career counseling and occupational skills training.
This funding has been designated for the following communities: The counties of Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Jackson, Koochiching, Lac Qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Rice, Rock, Scott, St. Louis, Steele, Sterns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, and Yellow Medicine.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.
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