U.S. Representative Angie Craig Secures $1.5 Million to Expand Job Training and Educational Opportunities in the South Metro

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Angie Craig secured $1.5 million to expand job training programs and educational opportunities in Shakopee.

The Shakopee Regional Innovation Hub will provide a wide variety of critical job training programs, post-secondary educational opportunities and entrepreneurial programs. In addition, the Hub will function as an activity center with space for commercial kitchens, classrooms, community events and training programs.

Rep. Craig pushed to secure this funding as part of her efforts to expand workforce development programs and economic opportunity in the Second District.

“Constructing the Regional Innovation Hub here in Shakopee will provide critical educational, training and advancement opportunities for our entire community. I’m always looking for ways to invest in and expand our workforce – and with this funding, we can do just that,” said Rep. Craig.

“I view building an Innovation Hub in Shakopee as a benefit to the larger region. It will allow us the ability to increase the number of secondary/advanced educational opportunities available to Shakopee and bring benefit to the regional workforce and businesses across the Southwest Metro area and beyond. Certainly, these costs should not be the sole responsibility of the Shakopee taxpayers as the benefit is much wider. We appreciate Rep. Craig’s partnership in securing these critical funds, additional funding will still be needed, and we look forward to additional partnership opportunities,” said Shakopee Mayor Matt Lehman.

The Hub is the first project of its kind in the area. It will serve seven counties across the South Metro – Scott, Carver, Dakota, Rice, Le Sueur, Blue Earth and parts of Hennepin – giving residents, business leaders and innovators a place to meet, create and learn.

The City of Shakopee will match the $1.5 million in funding to complete the project.

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