A new round of workforce development grants is channeling millions of dollars into communities across Minnesota, with a strong emphasis on equity, economic mobility, and long-term career pathways for workers historically left out of opportunity. Among the recipients, several Twin Cities–based organizations stand out for their deep roots in communities of color and their proven track records in connecting residents to living-wage employment.
The grants include $450,000 to the City of Minneapolis, $500,000 to EMERGE Community Development, $400,000 to Hired, and $325,000 to the Latino Chamber of Commerce Minnesota. Additional awards went to organizations and institutions across Greater Minnesota, reflecting a statewide strategy to strengthen the workforce from multiple angles.
The City of Minneapolis’ $450,000 award will support workforce initiatives aimed at connecting residents — particularly those facing barriers to employment — with training, credentialing, and career pathways aligned with employer demand. City officials say the funding will help stabilize neighborhoods by increasing access to good-paying jobs while supporting employers struggling to fill openings.
“These investments are about more than jobs,” one city workforce leader said. “They’re about economic security, community stability, and giving people real options for the future.”
With a $500,000 grant, EMERGE Community Development will expand its work helping unemployed and underemployed adults move into high-growth industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades. Founded in North Minneapolis, EMERGE is known for pairing job training with wraparound supports, including case management, financial coaching, and career navigation.
EMERGE’s model focuses on long-term advancement rather than short-term placement. Participants often enter programs with significant barriers — including prior incarceration, housing instability, or limited formal education — and leave with industry-recognized credentials and a clear career ladder.
“Our goal is economic mobility,” EMERGE leaders say. “That means helping people not only get hired, but stay employed and advance.”
The $400,000 grant to Hired will support its employer-partnered approach to workforce development. Hired works directly with businesses to design training pipelines that match real hiring needs, while centering workers who face systemic barriers to employment.
Hired serves thousands of Minnesotans each year, with a strong focus on people of color, immigrants, and individuals transitioning from public assistance. By aligning training with guaranteed or near-guaranteed job opportunities, the organization has become a trusted bridge between employers and communities.
“Workforce development works best when employers are at the table from the start,” Hired staff say. “That’s how we create real wins for both workers and businesses.”
The Latino Chamber of Commerce’s $325,000 grant will support research, reporting, and workforce strategies tied to Latino-owned businesses and Latino workers — one of the fastest-growing segments of Minnesota’s economy. The Chamber plays a dual role, supporting entrepreneurs while also advocating for policies and programs that strengthen the broader workforce ecosystem.
Through technical assistance, training, and data-driven research, the Latino Chamber helps small businesses grow sustainably while creating quality jobs in their communities.
“Our businesses are job creators,” Chamber leaders note. “When Latino businesses thrive, Minnesota’s economy thrives.”
Other grant recipients include the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce ($325,000), Faribault Public Schools ($300,000), Greater Mankato Growth ($65,000), and Hennepin Technical College ($175,000), underscoring a broad effort to address workforce needs across urban, suburban, and rural Minnesota.
Together, the investments reflect a growing recognition that workforce development must be community-centered, culturally responsive, and closely aligned with employer demand. For organizations like EMERGE, Hired, and the Latino Chamber, the funding provides both validation and momentum — resources to deepen work that is already changing lives.
