Press Releases

Communications Office   ·   Web site: www.deed.state.mn.us
Phone: 651/259-7161 or 1-800-657-3858   ·   Fax 651/215-3841

U.S Department of Labor Awards Minnesota $5 Million for Ag Innovation Workforce Initiative

ST. PAUL – Workers in Southwest and South Central Minnesota will be better equipped to meet the needs of a growing and diverse base of agricultural companies thanks to a $5 million training grant awarded today by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant will be used to coordinate the efforts of workforce development and economic development agencies and ensure an ample supply of skilled workers in what has become known as the state’s Agriculture Innovation Triangle.

The Triangle encompasses all or portions of 36 contiguous counties in Southwest and South Central Minnesota. It includes 24,236 square miles, is home to 33,470 family farms, 715 agriculture-based businesses, and 1,232 manufacturing firms.

In recent years, the region has given birth to a fast-growing core of businesses rooted in the biosciences and renewable energy industries. The Triangle is home to 85 percent of the renewable energy projects in the state, including 14 of 17 ethanol plants, three of four bio-diesel plants and 53 of 60 wind farms.

The WIRED grant will be used to train workers in the energy and biosciences industries, says Commissioner Dan McElroy of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), which received the three-year grant along with the Southwest Minnesota Workforce Council.

“The combination of industry investment, natural resources, and leadership has spurred tremendous economic growth in the region,” said McElroy. “Now they need a workforce that will be able to sustain that growth.”

While focus groups with key partners will be held later this summer to decide how to best use the grant, options could include:

• Marketing the region’s economic assets nationally and globally to attract investments and workers.
   
• Working with schools to focus on the educational requirements needed for biofuels, renewable energies, and manufacturing industries, especially science, technology, engineering and math.
   
• Designing and developing curricula that identify global industry standards for education and skill development.
   
• Providing English language training.
   
• Developing academic-industry partnerships.
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• Providing technical assistance for small businesses and start-ups.

Minnesota Ag Innovation Triangle partners include: The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Council; Central Minnesota Workforce Investment Board; Northwest Minnesota Workforce Investment Board; Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program Workforce Council; South Central Workforce Council; Southeast Minnesota Workforce Council; DEED; Adult Basic Education; Agriculture Utilization Research Institute; Energy Consortium; Fagen Industries, Inc.; Minnesota Precision Manufacturer’s Association; Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; Minnesota State University, Mankato;  Minnesota West Community and Technical College; Prairie Holdings Group; Poet, LLC; Southern Minnesota Economic Development Professionals; Southwest/West Central Cooperative (Education); Southwest Minnesota Initiative Foundation; West Central Initiative Foundation; Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation; Southwest Regional Development Commission; and  University of Minnesota.

Upon request, this news release is available in alternative format, 
such as braille, large print, audiotape, or computer disk, by calling the
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
1-800-657-3858; [TTY 1-800-657-3973]