Workforce Resources
A practical, collaborative directory of workforce resources serving Hubbard County and the Heartland Lakes communities—built to help employers recruit and retain talent, support entrepreneurship, and grow a diverse, year‑round economy. The listings highlight local anchors, regional allies, state programs, and national partners focused on workforce development, training, small business support, and quality‑of‑place investments that align with HLDC’s mission to Inspire and Retain Economic Growth.
Local
Heartland Lakes Development Commission (HLDC)
Services: local economic development leadership, business retention and expansion support, workforce outreach and talent attraction initiatives, small business training, and partnerships with local employers. Notes: HLDC is the convening body for Heartland Lakes workforce and startup supports; actively promotes live‑where‑you‑vacation quality of place.
Hubbard County HRA/EDA (Housing Redevelopment & Economic Development Authority)
Services: county‑level housing and economic development initiatives, potential grants/loans and collaboration space for business growth, workforce housing planning and financing.
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Park Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Services: local business support, job postings, networking, and small‑business training events; acts as a conduit between employers and job seekers in the Park Rapids area.
Website
Regional
Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NWMF)
Services: workforce training grants, community development funding, business‑growth supports, and sector‑specific programs to strengthen local economies across the region.
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Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards (MAWB)
Services: umbrella for workforce boards, policy guidance, regional coordination of job training, employer outreach, and workforce development strategy across Minnesota.
Website
State
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Services: workforce development programs, unemployment services, business development grants and loans, Main Street economic revitalization grants, and statewide data on labor markets.
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Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB)
Services: economic development funding, business expansion support, workforce training initiatives, industry partnerships. Notes: Regionalized state program with a long history of supporting worker education and local industry clusters in Minnesota’s Iron Range, including nearby corridors.
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National
U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
Services: grants and technical assistance for local economic development, business expansion, and workforce development projects; focus on building resilient regional economies.
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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Minnesota District Office
Services: small business mentoring, loan programs for startups and expansions, training events, and access to capital for entrepreneurs and remote/work‑based opportunities.
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