USDA Cutting Jobs At 3 Minnesota Offices This Month

USDA Rural Development, the federal agency that helps fund housing, infrastructure and business projects in rural areas, is laying off about seven employees at offices in Faribault, Detroit Lakes, and Cambridge, according to Minnesota's State Rapid Response Team.

The layoffs are set to take effect around Sept. 30, the SRRT says. Affected positions include grant writers and reviewers, auditors and administrative staff, though other roles could be impacted too.

State officials reviewed the situation and found the number of workers affected isn't large enough to trigger a special Project Grant that would bring in extra resources for those losing their jobs.

Instead, the state will route eligible workers to its existing Dislocated Worker program, which offers job training, career counseling and other help finding new work.

The Rapid Response Team is Minnesota's go-to resource for coordinating with employers facing layoffs and connecting displaced workers with support funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.