LSS Among Recipients of $10.9 M in Grants to Cut Economic Disparities in Employment
The state of Minnesota awarded $10.9 million in job training grants to 42 agencies this month as part of its effort to boost wages and skill sets among people of color, immigrants and inmates and to reduce economic disparities that are among the worst in the nation.
The Minnesota Pathways to Prosperity program grants range in size from $63,000 to $450,000 and are “part of our equity goal,” said Hamse Warfa, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota received $350,000.
The grants, announced this month, are for the fiscal year 2020-2021 funding cycle. State officials said the grants are competitive and pack a punch because they deliver workforce development and training opportunities to adults in Minnesota who are experiencing barriers to employment.
State officials said the grants fund roughly half the requests received.