Jan. 4 - DEED Grants Help Workers Who Lost Jobs

ST. PAUL – The Dislocated Worker Program has awarded more than $2.2 million in grants to provide services for 585 workers who were laid off at eight Minnesota businesses.

The former employees at Lowe’s, Superior Plating Inc., Cerenity Senior Care Center, G&D Integrated, Mesaba Airlines, Verso Paper, and Reynolds Food Packaging will receive a variety of services designed to help them get back to work, including assistance with exploring new careers, updating skills and learning job-hunting strategies.

“Losing a job can cause significant stress for workers and their families,” said Mark Phillips, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), which administers the program. “The Dislocated Worker Program helps ease the transition for people who are looking for new work or want to train for new careers.”

The following grants were awarded:

• Lowe’s, Cambridge, $200,000. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 50 employees whose positions were eliminated when Lowe’s closed the Cambridge store and others around the nation to focus on more profitable locations.Local contact: Tony Thomann, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, 612-325-8746.

• Superior Plating Inc., Minneapolis, $200,000. Superior Plating Inc. is a metal finishing company. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 50 former employees whose positions were lost due to bankruptcy and decision to close.
Local contact: Jean Shomphe, Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau, 612-676-3717.

• Lowe’s Home Center, Rogers, $240,000. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 60 employees whose positions were eliminated when Lowe’s closed the Rogers store and others around the nation to focus on more profitable locations.Local contact: Matt Derosier, HIRED, 952-303-8304.  

• Cerenity Senior Care Center, Dellwood, $260,000. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 65 former employees whose positions were eliminated due to the care center’s closure.
Local contact: David Jensen, Career Management Services, 763-253-9172.

• G&D Integrated, Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove, $260,000. G&D Integrated provides trucking, distribution and integrated manufacturing services primarily for Caterpillar, Komatsu and other manufacturers of heavy mining equipment. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 65 former employees whose positions were eliminated when Caterpillar cancelled its contract with G&D.
Local contact: David Jensen, Career Management Services, 763-253-9172.

• Mesaba Airlines Dislocated Worker Project, Eagan, $262,500. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 75 former employees whose positions were eliminated due to the closure of the Eagan facility.
Local contact: Nekeisia Booyer, Employment Action Center, a division of RESOURCE, 612-752-8660.

• Verso Paper, Sartell, $350,000. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 100 former employees at Verso Paper. Jobs were lost when the Sartell mill shut down two production machines.
Local contact: Kathleen Zavala, Stearns-Benton Employment and Training Council, 320-308-5702.

• Reynolds Food Packaging, Rogers, $480,000. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 120 former employees at Reynolds Food Packaging. Jobs were lost due to transferring work to international facilities.
Local contact: Matt Derosier, HIRED, 952-303-8304.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

Upon request, the information in this news release can be made available in alternative formats by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Communications Office
Phone 651/259-7161 or 1-800-657-3858 ∙ TTY 1-800-657-3973
www.PositivelyMinnesota.com
An equal opportunity employer and service provider.