1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to workforce development; appropriating money for the Duluth Promise
1.3 initiative.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. APPROPRIATION; DULUTH PROMISE.
1.6 $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the
1.7workforce development fund to the commissioner of economic development for a grant to
1.8Duluth Public Schools for the Duluth Promise initiative to strengthen career planning, career
1.9pathway training and education, wraparound support services, and job skills advancement
1.10in high-demand careers including health care, manufacturing, and business finance. The
1.11Duluth Promise aims to reduce barriers to employment and address workforce shortages in
1.12the Duluth area and St. Louis County by building intentional strategies with employers,
1.13kindergarten through grade 12 students, and higher education partners. Money appropriated
1.14under this section:
1.15 (1) shall be focused on establishing clear pathways with early college credit, credit for
1.16prior learning, college in the schools, early work experiences, and earn-and-learn
1.17opportunities;
1.18 (2) shall support employer outreach services to solve current and anticipated workforce
1.19challenges and be directly connected to workforce programming; and
1.20 (3) may be used for program expenses, including but not limited to hiring instructors
1.21and navigators, space rental, and supportive services to help participants attend classes.
1.22These appropriations are onetime and are available until June 30, 2027.
1Section 1.
REVISOR SS/ES 25-0303002/05/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 849
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Kozlowski; Johnson, P.; Zeleznikar and Virnig02/17/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy