Are you a new or existing businesses in Greater Minnesota? Will you be adding at least three new jobs? Do you need to provide training to those new employees? If so, then you’ll want to consider applying for a state grant from the new Barnaamijka Dhiirigelinta Tababarka Shaqada administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The program provides grants of up to $100,000 that eligible businesses can use to train workers in new jobs.

Applications will be accepted beginning Oct. 15 and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to businesses that meet eligibility requirements. A total of $900,000 is available through June 30, 2016. An additional $900,000 will be available July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. Businesses will be required to match the grants on a 1-to-1 basis.

Funding is available only to businesses located in Greater Minnesota. Funds may be used to pay direct training costs, including wages for on-the-job training. Training may be provided in-house, by institutions of higher education, by federal, state or local agencies, by consultants, or by equipment vendors.

Additional eligibility requirements include:

1. Eligible businesses must add at least three new jobs.
2. The new jobs must pay at least equal to the average weekly wage for the county in which the jobs are located.
3. The new jobs must be permanent and provide at least 32 hours of work per week for a minimum of nine months per year.
4. The following types of businesses are not eligible for program funding: public utilities, health clinics or businesses engaged in lobbying, gambling, professional sports, political consulting, leisure and hospitality, and professional services provided by attorneys, accountants, consultants, physicians or health care consultants.

To get more information and to apply, go to the DEED website and click on the tab for Barnaamijka Dhiirigelinta Tababarka Shaqada.