Additional funding to assist Minnesota workers affected by grocery industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will receive an $88,000 National Emergency Grant supplemental award from the U.S. Department of Labor to continue providing reemployment services to workers affected by layoffs at three SUPERVALU facilities,located in Eden Prairie and Stillwater, Minnesota.

"This grant has successfully helped many individuals find employment following these layoffs, and we are pleased to provide additional assistance to continue this effort," said Portia Wu, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training.

This additional funding is being awarded to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and HIRED will provide the services. HIRED is a workforce development organization headquartered in Minneapolis, with locally-based offices to serve specific geographic areas. The supplemental funding will continue to provide re-employment services, such as assistance with the job search process, to eligible participants who are seeking re-employment. It will also support participants who are already in on-the-job training programs in finishing their full complement of re-employment services.

SUPERVALU, which was one of the largest grocery wholesalers and retailers in the United States, sold several of its retail sites in 2013, significantly reducing the size of the company. The diminished scope of the organization led to subsequent layoffs at its corporate headquarters in Eden Prairie beginning in May 2013. The initial award of $838,390 was approved on June 7, 2013, to provide re-employment assistance to the affected workers. Today's supplemental award of $88,000 brings the total funds awarded for this project to $926,390.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines.