DEED Program Awards Grants to Help Workers Who Lost Jobs

Former employees of Ultimate Electronics in Maple Grove might be eligible for a variety of services to help them get back to work as part of a recently awarded grant to the Dislocated Worker Program.

The program received $602,500 in grants to provide services to about 165 workers who were laid off at Twin Cities companies, Ultimate Electronics, American Hardware Mutual Insurance Co. and Wellman Dynamics.

The money will be used to help the former employees gain employment by providing services such as assistance with exploring new careers, updating skills and learning job-hunting strategies.

"Losing a job can cause significant stress for workers and their families and communities," said Mark Phillips, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), which administers the program. "The Dislocated Worker Program helps ease the transition for people who are looking for new work or want to train for new careers." 

According to DEED, the following grants were awarded:

• Ultimate Electronics, six metro area locations, $200,000. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 50 employees at Ultimate Electronics retail stores in Maple Grove, Burnsville, Edina, Minnetonka, Roseville and Woodbury. Jobs were lost when the parent company filed for bankruptcy and closed the stores. Local contact: Matt Derosier, HIRED, 952-303-8304.

•  Wellman Dynamics, Plymouth, $227,500. Wellman Dynamics specialized in complex engineered parts. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 65 employees whose positions were eliminated when the company shut down operations. Local contact: Nekeisia Booyer, Employment Action Center, a division of RESOURCE, 612-752-8660.

• American Hardware Mutual Insurance Co., Minnetonka, $175,000. American Hardware is a property and casualty insurance company. Dislocated Worker Program services will be available to 50 employees whose positions were eliminated in a corporate restructuring. Local contact: Nekeisia Booyer, Employment Action Center, a division of RESOURCE, 612-752-8660.

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency.