DEED’s Youth at Work program funding will support 39 organizations and 4,000 Minnesota youth.



Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Press Release


*For Immediate Release*




Mary Haugen

[email protected]




November 18, 2025

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DEED Awards $4.8 Million to Support Youth Workforce Development Initiatives

*St. Paul, MN *– The 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 [ [link removed] ] serves youth of color and youth with disabilities who are economically disadvantaged or considered to be at-risk. Grantees will connect young people ages 14-to-24 with good-paying jobs in high-growth industries, taking a targeted approach for youth who face the largest systemic barriers.

“Youth development and job training is crucial to the wellbeing of our communities and our state's economy,” said *DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek*. “At DEED, we take pride in providing opportunities and assistance for some of our most vulnerable community members. Supporting the youth of today helps ensure Minnesota has a healthy and vibrant workforce tomorrow.”

“Across Minnesota, our Youth at Work partners are helping young people gain valuable skills and pursue economic stability," said *DEED Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development Marc Majors.* “We're proud that these grants will support the next generation in building a stronger and more resilient workforce."

Youth at Work grantees are listed below (many organizations serve regions beyond the cities in which they are located):

*Achieve Twin Cities, Minneapolis *- $236,200

*African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS), St. Paul *- $120,000

*African Immigrants Community Services, Minneapolis* - $100,000  __

*American Indian OIC, Minneapolis *- $100,000 __

*Anoka County Job Training Center, Blaine *- $300,000

*Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Virginia* – $100,000

*Bi-County Community Action Programs, Inc., Bemidji *- $100,000 __

*Career Solutions, St. Cloud *- $242,000 __

*Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc., Monticello *- $300,000 __

*City Academy High School, St. Paul *- $100,000 __

*City of Duluth Workforce Development, Duluth *- $300,000 __

*City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis *- $1,350,000 __

*City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation - Right Track, St. Paul *- $1,350,000__

*Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio, St. Paul *- $100,000 __

*Elpis Enterprises, St. Paul *- $156,000 __

*Face to Face Health & Counseling Service, Inc., St. Paul *- $100,000

*Faribault Public Schools, Faribault *- $190,000 __

*Genesys Works Twin Cities, St. Paul *- $200,000 __

*Greater Bemidji/Minnesota Innovation Initiative, Bemidji *- $200,000 __

*Hennepin County Department of Workforce Development, Minneapolis *- $300,000 __

*Hired, Minneapolis *- $200,000 __

*Independent School District No. 625 (St. Paul Public Schools), St. Paul *- $150,000 __

*JET - Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, Virginia *- $300,000 __

*Karen Organization of Minnesota, Roseville *- $100,000 __

*MIGIZI Communications, Inc., Minneapolis *- $142,000 __

*Minnesota Training Partnership, St. Paul *- $100,000 __

*Port Authority of the City of Bloomington, Bloomington *- $100,000 __

*Project Legacy, Rochester *- $100,000 __

*Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, Rochester *- $200,000 __

*Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., Detroit Lakes *- $200,000

*RWDA 5 - South Central Workforce Council/Minnesota Valley Action Council and Southwest Private Industry Council, Mankato *- $500,000

*Sabathani Community Center, Minneapolis *- $200,000 __

*Smart North, Minneapolis *- $200,000 __

*Spark-Y: Youth Action Labs, Minneapolis *- $200,000 __

*The Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota, Morton *- $150,000 __

*Urban Boatbuilders, St. Paul*- $100,000 __

*Wildflyer Coffee, Minneapolis *- $200,000 __

*Workforce Development, Inc., Rochester* - $200,000 __

*Youthprise, St. Paul *- $200,000 __

"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 [ [link removed] ]_"" or ""_CareerForceMN.com [ [link removed] ]_"", and learn how to do business in Minnesota [ [link removed] ]."

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"Upon request, this information can be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161."





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