Three Area Organizations Win DEED Grants

(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Drive for 5 Workforce initiative is giving grants to three organizations operating in the St. Cloud area.

Drive for 5 helps with job training in five high-demand categories: healthcare, education, manufacturing, technology, and the trades. DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek says, “Drive for 5 addresses two of Minnesota’s greatest economic hurdles by providing pathways to careers for workers and a skilled workforce for employers. DEED is proud to continue our work with our workforce development partners to support Minnesota’s workforce and economy.”

Grant winners include Avivo, which will get $400,000. Avivo is building a no-barrier homeless shelter in St. Cloud at 31st Avenue South, plus job training and other social services. The Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services in Monticello is receiving $600,000, and Stearns-Benton Employment & Training Council, better known as DBA Career Solutions, has $325,000 coming its way.

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