GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency is among 12 organizations statewide to receive money from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for youth job training. AEOA’s YouthBuild program, based in Grand Rapids, was granted $180,000.
DEED announced Monday, March 2, $1.9 million was awarded to provide job training and wraparound services to youth and young adults. More than 600 young Minnesotan’s are expected to benefit from the grant which will expand affordable housing in underserved communities
“We are deeply grateful to the State of Minnesota for this investment in our young people,” said Tawnya Maras, AEOA Youth Services Program Manager. “This grant strengthens our YouthBuild program and expands opportunities for participants to build skills, earn credentials, and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.”
This year, half of the Minnesota YouthBuild grants were allocated to organizations in Greater Minnesota, and half were distributed in the Twin Cities metro area. YouthBuild provides specialized training for youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are at risk of not completing their high school education. Participants craft skills in construction job training, academic support, mentoring and case management.
“YouthBuild helps ensure young Minnesotans facing barriers to completing their high school education have the support they need to successfully earn a diploma and prepare for fulfilling employment,” said DEED Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development Marc Majors. “YouthBuild helps young people prepare for a strong career path in the construction trades where they can earn a family-sustaining wage. The program also helps build or renovate affordable housing.”
AEOA’s program serves youth across northeastern Minnesota. The agency has been supporting student on the job training for nearly 60 years. In the summer of 1966, AEOA announced approval of the Neighborhood Youth Corp to employ and train 350 high school students from St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties. In 2025, 29 individuals were part of the agency’s YouthBuild program.
“Youth workforce development programs are a solid investment in young Minnesotans and in communities around our state,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “The services YouthBuild providers offer young people are life changing – they make a difference and help open a world of future opportunities.”
