Sherburne EDA votes to apply for $37,500 Just Transition Fund pilot with regional partners

The Sherburne County Economic Development Authority voted Tuesday to submit a regional application to the Just Transition Fund to pilot workforce services for residents affected by power-plant transitions.

Staff described a five-county consortium approach to the fund's workforce-development track and said Sherburne's portion would be $37,500 for a 12-month pilot. The application would mirror Otter Tail County's "empowered worker" model, which pairs third-party casework with training and supports for residents facing barriers to employment (criminal records, transportation or childcare challenges).

Staff estimated that with per-person costs in the $1,000–$2,000 range the pilot could serve roughly 10–15 people locally and demonstrate outcomes that could unlock further funding. The EDA moved, seconded and approved a motion to submit the application before the end-of-July window.

Why it matters: The fund targets coal communities in transition and seeks scalable workforce supports to connect residents with stable employment. A successful pilot could attract follow-on funding and expand services countywide.

What's next: If the consortium is invited to apply, staff will issue requests for quotations to local agencies to operate the pilot; applicants will be notified in late fall and, if funded, programming could start in early winter.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 993; topfinish SEG 1183.