Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Coverage of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development in the Nexus archive.
- Facing new challenges, Step Up program continues to train Minnesota’s future workforce
The Minneapolis Step Up program, established in 2003, continues to train lower-income teens, particularly students of color, through internships and mentorship. Jordan Dotson, a program graduate, now works at Best Buy, highlighting the program's role in workforce development. However, the program faces challenges like declining employer participation, reducing available internships.
- Nonprofit that awarded ‘incorrect’ promise grants can keep up to $7 million to run the program
The Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), a nonprofit administering Minnesota's $100 million Promise Act program, is under scrutiny for awarding grants to ineligible businesses. State officials are recovering over $27,000 in misallocated funds, while NDC retains up to $7 million to operate the program. Investigations and audits are ongoing following reports of flawed application reviews.
- State claws back grant money in $100 million Promise Act program after reporting from 5 INVESTIGATES
State officials are recovering funds from the Minnesota Promise Act program after acknowledging three grants were improperly awarded. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) confirmed issues with two grants highlighted by 5 INVESTIGATES, including a business using a post office address and incomplete application details. DEED is working with the Neighborhood Development Center to recover the funds and improve the vetting process.
- At Issue: July 12 — Reactions to paid family leave numbers, voter registration audit
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported 75,000 workers used the state’s paid family leave program in its first six months, though some faced approval or payment issues. A voter registration audit found the system generally sound but noted some counties missed required steps, with Republican leaders highlighting concerns and Secretary of State Steve Simon asserting compliance.
- Minnesota Paid Leave has paid out nearly double what workers, employers have paid in
Minnesota’s Paid Leave program has paid out $598 million in its first six months, exceeding the $344 million collected through a 0.88% wage tax split between workers and employers. A $688 million one-time startup fund covers remaining payments, but a funding gap persists, with delays in claim approvals reported by applicants like military veteran Robert Younger.
- Minnesota’s Paid Leave program: 75,000 approved but some face delays
Minnesota's Paid Leave program has approved 75,000 applications and distributed $600 million in benefits, but some applicants report delays and financial strain. DEED officials acknowledge complex cases may take longer but emphasize most applications are processed within two to three weeks.
- D.C. Memo: Fraud czar Vance targets unemployment benefits
Vice President JD Vance, as the nation’s fraud czar, announced efforts to target unemployment benefit programs in Minnesota and other states. U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling threatened to withhold federal funds from states failing to address mismanagement and fraud in unemployment insurance programs. Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) defended its program as compliant and a top performer in integrity.
- Minnesota’s latest job numbers show more openings but lower pay, fewer people staying in the workforce
Minnesota's May labor report shows increased job openings but lower average hourly pay and a shrinking workforce. Unemployment decreased, yet employment numbers fell for six consecutive months, with more people exiting the labor force. Blue-collar jobs in leisure and hospitality are growing, while white-collar finance roles decline, contributing to a 0.5% drop in Minnesota's average hourly wage compared to the prior year.