County American Rescue Plan Funding Committed to Workforce Solutions

The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners dedicated nearly $600,000 of the County’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding allocation to business and workforce programs.

The business and workforce-related programs that will be supported and developed with ARP funding align with the ‘OTC Works’ workforce strategy developed by the Community Development Agency (CDA). The strategy focuses on:

• promoting the availability of jobs with family-sustaining wages in the County;
• helping employers recruit and retain workers more effectively; and
• creating partnerships to improve occupational readiness, reduce barriers to employment, and align skills for future workforce needs.

The critical nature of the workforce shortage has driven CDA staff and the Board of Directors to develop and advance programs with various partner organizations.

Cardinal Consulting Solutions, a local independent consulting firm focused on workforce recruitment and retention strategies, has been contracted to work with the County on a Youth Workforce Navigation Program. The program will bridge the gap between employers, school districts, and students to address short-term workforce challenges and create long-term employer to worker connections. This program is one of several in development.

Other identified partners in these business and workforce programs will include the County’s Human Services team, M State Community and Technical College, and the West Central Small Business Development Center.

County Commissioner and CDA Board Member, Kurt Mortenson, shared his excitement for the programs and investments that will be made with ARP funding. “Otter Tail County staff have done a great job identifying programs that will make a positive impact for residents and the local economy. Approving these investment priorities is just the beginning of an unprecedented time of public investment into our county.”

Otter Tail County will use its $11.4 million ARP allocation to invest in business and workforce, housing investment, broadband and infrastructure, and community resilience. These priority investment areas align with the County’s Long Range Strategic Plan and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Programs and supports related to all these investment areas will be developed with partners throughout Otter Tail County.