In the News

New DEED Office Will Address Disparities
Channel 12, Brooklyn Park-12/14/15
New efforts are under way to tackle economic and racial disparities in Minnesota with the creation of an office devoted to helping communities of color find jobs and business opportunities. DEED is hiring an assistant commissioner to lead the new Office of Career and Business Opportunity. The office should be open by March 1.

State Officials Discuss Inequality
Southwest Journal-12/17/15
Commissioner Sieben joined other state officials to discuss initiatives aimed at tackling poverty and unemployment in the African American community during a forum last Monday at the Minneapolis Urban League. The forum came nearly three months after the U.S. Census Bureau released data showing median income for black households in Minnesota dropped $4,500 from 2013 to 2014.

Did You Know?

Two companies with major operations in Minnesota rank among the most innovative in the world. 3M was 40th and Medtronic was 42nd on the Boston Consulting Group's annual list of the 50 most innovative companies. Apple was No. 1.

Recent Press Releases

Minnesota Gains 7,200 Jobs in November
Minnesota employers added 7,200 jobs in November, according to seasonally adjusted figures released last week by DEED. Those figures, combined with October figures that were revised from 1,700 jobs lost to 200 jobs gained, brought total job gains in the state to 32,130 over the past 12 months. The state unemployment rate fell 0.2 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted 3.5 percent. “The state unemployment rate is now at its lowest level since March 2001,” Commissioner Sieben said.

DEED Seeks Proposals for Job Training
DEED is requesting proposals for programs and services to train low-income Minnesotans who face barriers to employment. The agency will award $2.57 million in grants from the Pathways to Prosperity Program to help service providers develop and implement programs that focus on career pathway programs, job placement and job readiness skills. The programs will target minorities, veterans, older workers, Minnesotans transitioning from public assistance to work, and people with disabilities. A copy of a request for proposal and program details are available here.

Recent Blog Posts

New funding from DEED will help the Northwest Indian OIC in Bemidji recruit and train 48 low-income residents for highly targeted health care occupations. DEED awarded the nonprofit a $164,302 grant under the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Read the details here.