A report by 24/7 Wall Street ranked Minnesota as the second-worst state in the country for racial equality. Although U.S. Census figures show income gains and lower unemployment rates for Minnesotans of color, we’re still experiencing drastic inequality in these areas across the state.

Governor Walz’s Closing the Opportunity Gap investment continues direct appropriations made in the 2018-2019 biennial budget and funds competitive youth employment programs that target at-risk youth.

Investing in Communities

Minnesota’s workforce of the future will require skilled workers. Critical investments in employment and training programs, minority business enterprises, capacity building for nonprofits, and support services for program participants are needed. Without this investment, Minnesota employers will continue to struggle with talent attraction, and communities of color will continue to face higher unemployment and lower incomes than their white counterparts.

Expanding on Proven Results

Closing the Opportunity Gap investments provide Minnesotans of color and Minnesotans with disabilities with access to the education, training, and support services needed to participate in the labor force and obtain in-demand and high-paying jobs.

Grants will continue to work toward increasing the labor force participation rate for targeted populations and

• decreasing the unemployment rate
• increasing the median income
• decreasing the poverty rate and
• increasing the capacity to deliver high-quality, culturally-specific services.

On the business side, these investments ensure that disadvantaged businesses can obtain the capital, management skills, and market opportunities necessary for success by

• increasing the number of business enterprises
• increasing the number of people these businesses employ and
• increasing average sales.

Racial Disparities by Region

Racial disparities in education, employment, and income persist for a variety of reasons, but the economic challenges every region in Minnesota will face are so great that they will need to be addressed with a multi-faceted approach to attracting, retaining, and training workers of all demographic characteristics. Read Racial Disparities by region from DEED’s Labor Market Information Office.