Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development announced $3.6 million in funding to help businesses enter the state’s cannabis industry as well as train workers.
The three programs, “CanNavigate,” “CanStartup” and “CanTrain,” offer funding and technical support to start and expand cannabis businesses in Minnesota, as well as grants to workforce training organizations for cannabis job training.
They were created in the 2023 Legislature when lawmakers legalized adult-use cannabis in the state.
“Legal adult-use cannabis is an exciting new industry for Minnesota businesses and workers, and DEED’s job is to make sure they have an accessible on-ramp,” stated DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek in a news release.
“We’re committed to ensuring social equity in the cannabis industry, working alongside our regulatory partners securing market integrity, and supporting Minnesota’s community-focused lenders and workforce development organizations around the state.”
White Earth Tribal and Community College will be granted $500,000 under the “CanTrain” program.
The Office of Cannabis Management also has grant programs that complement DEED’s. OCM's grant program, "CanRenew," is designed to fund projects addressing community needs like economic development or youth development. "CanGrow" was created to assist farmers entering or expanding into the cannabis industry.
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