Stimulus money isn’t just building roads and bailing out car companies: More than 1,000 young people have summer jobs in 19 rural Minnesota counties, thanks to the federal money.
The Fergus Falls Journal reports that $2.5 million in stimulus funds was awarded to Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program’s summer youth effort to provide jobs in organizations, government and businesses.
Said the paper:
Designed to provide youth with experience needed in today’s workforce, the program has also come to the rescue of local employers, many of which have found themselves having to cut back on staff.
“It’s helping out the local economy. That was the biggest push — trying to get kids out there working, helping businesses,” said Chad Nelson, Youth Services Coordinator for the Minnesota Workforce Center in Fergus Falls.
Some kids are working with the City of Fergus Falls’ Street Department, which this year was not able to hire back as many young workers due to reduced local government aid.
The young workers, usually ages 14 to 24, typically work 30 to 40 hours a week, depending on the position.
Sounds good is good. Thanks for the link.