With businesses across the area struggling to find qualified workers for open jobs, a new Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development grant is looking to give some relief.

Under the Job Training Incentive Program, new or expanding businesses can apply for up to $100,000 to train workers in new jobs.

Funds may be used to pay direct training costs, including wages for on-the-job training. Training may be provided in-house, by institutions of higher education, by federal, state or local agencies, by consultants or by equipment vendors.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development hosted an informational session about the Job Training Incentive Program on Thursday in Austin, and applications will begin to be accepted Oct. 15. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible businesses.

Eligible businesses must add at least three new permanent jobs and have pay equal to at least the weekly wage for the county in which the jobs will be located. The new jobs must also be permanent and provide at least 32 hours of work per week for a minimum of nine months per year.

A total of $900,000 in funding is available through the end of June 2016.

We encourage local businesses to apply for this funding. It may not solve all of the workforce challenges the area is facing, but it will definitely help.

People can look up more about the grants on the DEED website at www.mn.gov/deed or contact jodie.greising@state.mn.us for questions about the program.