U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million to Strengthen the Healthcare Workforce at White Earth Reservation in Minnesota

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the White Earth Tribal and Community College in Mahnomen, Minnesota, to support healthcare workforce development. 

This grant will provide mobile medical training units and related equipment to help nursing students prepare for good-paying, in-demand jobs. This EDA investment is expected to create 44 jobs, according to grantee estimates. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to helping Tribal Nations build stronger, more resilient communities and economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will tackle the critical nursing and healthcare worker shortage in Minnesota and across the country to ensure that we can overcome future health-related crises.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with communities to support locally driven disaster recovery and resiliency efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment will strengthen the regional healthcare workforce, creating new job opportunities for Tribal communities that will ensure economic benefits are shared equally throughout the region.” 

“Tribal Colleges serve students in some of the most isolated and under-served areas of the country. Helping them to prepare students for in-demand careers in the healthcare sector is a great way to boost Tribal economies and strengthen rural areas in general, as well as address the workforce shortages in the healthcare sector,” said Senator Tina Smith. “This grant for White Earth Tribal and Community College will help 50 Native students in Minnesota receive the best training for their new career.” 

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC). EDA funds HRDC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs. 

This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information. 

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.