The 10 grants were awarded to seven Minnesota institutions for business partnerships to develop and deliver workforce training programs.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Press Release
*For Immediate Release*
Mary Haugen
[email protected]
April 29, 2026
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DEED Awards Nearly $1.6 Million in Grants to Minnesota Colleges and Universities for Employer Workforce Development Projects
*St. Paul, Minn.* – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced 10 workforce development grants from the Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) program for seven Minnesota educational institutions partnering with Minnesota businesses to develop and deliver customized workforce training programs.
"The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership acts as a catalyst between business and education in developing cooperative training projects that benefit Minnesota workers," said *DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek*. "Providing opportunities for employees to gain necessary skills ensures future organizational success and helps high-quality jobs stay in Minnesota."
Participating businesses must partner with an accredited educational institution for these MJSP grants, which are awarded to the educational institution to develop and deliver custom training for the business. Programming covered by the grants includes onboarding and training new workers, upskilling current workers, promoting workforce diversity, defining career pathways, developing communication and leadership skills and more.
Since 2019, MJSP has awarded $44.9 million to train over 45,000 workers and has leveraged $74.5 million in private funding.
Grants announced today include:
*$400,000 to Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) for partnership with Lexington Manufacturing, LLC*
Lexington Manufacturing — a full-service supplier of commercial, architectural and residential window, door and structural millwork components with locations in Coon Rapids and Brainerd — is partnering with ARCC to develop a two-year training program for employees focused on integrating AI-based systems across the organization. The 17-course, 192-hour curriculum will be available for all 300 employees, prioritizing production workers to help them develop skills necessary to utilize emerging technology.
*$393,528 to Hennepin Technical College for partnership with Niron Magnetics*
Niron Magnetics, a manufacturer of magnetics free from rare earth metals used for energy, aerospace, and manufacturing based in Minneapolis, is partnering with Hennepin Technical College to develop a training program to prepare the company’s scientists, engineers and technicians to transition from pilot-scale to large-scale production. The 200 training hours will include machine operation, robotics and automations, welding and materials fabrication, and more. All employees will participate in one or more training areas, with course completion resulting in continuing education units, custom certificates, or industry certification.
*$248,437 to St. Cloud State University for partnership with EssilorLuxottica*
EssilorLuxottica, a developer, manufacturer and distributor of prescription frames, lenses and advanced optical products, is partnering with St. Cloud State University to develop a comprehensive training program that not only builds employees’ automation, robotics and emerging technologies skills, but also develops their leadership and professional skills, and supports their advancement along a career pathway. The training program will follow a 3,000-square-foot expansion of the company’s St. Cloud campus with state-of-the-art automation robotics and advanced digital technologies. The 240 hours of coursework will be taught by subject-matter experts and experienced faculty and industry professionals.
*$216,670 to Minnesota State University (MSU), Mankato for partnership with Mayo Clinic Health System*
Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato is partnering with MSU to develop a simulation-based training program targeting emergency department, advanced trauma and behavioral health skills for physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, emergency department technicians, security and ambulance personnel. The training will take place onsite at MSU’s Maverick Family Nursing Simulation Center.
*$97,552 to Northland Community & Technical College for partnership with Consolidated Equipment Group*
Consolidated Equipment Ground is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of light-construction machinery attachments compatible with major machinery brands. Located in Alexandria, the company is partnering with Northland Community & Technical College to develop and deliver a 260-hour training program — focused on improvement techniques, problem solving and leadership skills — that will be delivered at CEG’s Fosston manufacturing facility.
*$49,837 to Century College for partnership with Reell Precision*
Reell Precision, a precision motion and position control technology manufacturer located in St. Paul, is partnering with Century College to develop a program to upskill its employees with specialized training in their fields. The various training modules range from 16-24-hours of workshops that will be delivered via lectures, hands-on exercises and case studies.
*$49,737 to Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) for partnership with Interscapes, Inc*.
Interscapes, Inc.’s Brooklyn Center facility produces and installs cabinets, reception desks, wall panels, booths and more using architectural wood, laminates, solid surface, metal, glass and acrylic. The company is partnering with ARCC to develop and deliver a curriculum to implement a Profitable Growth Operating System-based sales growth strategy and provide targeted training for staff. All Interscapes employees will complete 16 hours of small group training over the course of 12 months, while management, sales and job-estimating staff will complete an additional 24 hours of training in customer segmentation, data driven profitability, and methods of scaling or exiting.
*$49,691 to Century College for partnership with LHB, Inc.*
LHB, Inc., located in Duluth, is a multidisciplinary architecture, engineering and planning firm offering a wide range of professional design and consulting services to both public and private clients across multiple market sectors. LHB is partnering with Century College to develop an AI and leadership training program for all LHB employees, focused on responsibly and effectively using AI-related tools. Of the 26-hour, nine-course trainings, four will be available to all LHB employees, while engineers, architects and management will be expected to complete all nine.
*$48,922 to Central Lakes College for partnership with Summit 360*
Summit 360 — based in Eagan — sources, refurbishes, resells and recycles technology equipment for business and government clients, to help them reduce electronic waste and support environmentally responsible technology practices. The company is partnering with Central Lakes College to develop a 64-hour, six-course workforce development training covering workplace communication, leadership skills, business literacy, AI and productivity tools, and more.
*$41,476 to St. Cloud State University for partnership with American Solutions for Business *
Headquartered in Glenwood, American Business Solutions is a national provider of marketing, promotional and print solutions serving multiple industries, including retail, healthcare, manufacturing and more. The company is partnering with St. Cloud State University to develop a training that builds digital proficiency supporting automation and data-driven decision-making, strengthens conflict-resolution skills, enhances customer service and encourages collaboration. The 22 training hours will be delivered remotely and onsite.
*Partnership Project Contacts*
* Anoka-Ramsey Community College: Matthew Salo, 763-422-6116
* Central Lakes College: Nick Heisserer, 218-855-8067
* Century College: Thomas Popsun, 651-444-2147
* Hennepin Technical College: Jess Niebuhr, 763-488-2525
* MN State University, Mankato: Tammy Bohlke, 507-389-2572
* Northland Community & Technical College: Howard Brockhouse, 218-683-8748
* Cloud State University: Ileana Merten, 320-308-6160
"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] ], Do Business [ [link removed] ], _""_CareerForce.MN.gov [ [link removed] ]_"", or by following us on social media [ [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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