NeighborWorks in Minnesota More than 1,600 community development professionals are heading to Minneapolis for NeighborWorks America’s quarterly training institute, May 22-25. The weeklong event is expected to provide a $1.7 million boost to the local economy. Seven of NeighborWorks’ approximately 245 network members are based in Minnesota, which is also home to the nation’s first Better Business Bureau (founded in Minneapolis in 1912). Job growth and business development continue to be important to the state. In FY16, our Minnesota groups created or maintained more than 2,000 jobs. In this issue, we take a closer look at the work our organizations are doing in the “North Star State.” A strong job market creates challenges in southern Minnesota After the 1980s farm crisis, agricultural communities in Minnesota sought investment of state and local resources to diversify the economy. However, now job growth has outstripped the local workforce and available housing. NeighborWorks member Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership teamed up with other local leaders to bring much-needed services to the new residents. Excerpted from NeighborWorks Works: Practical Solutions from America's Community Development Network Learn more about the program Twin Cities group trains interns for new career After noticing a shortage of qualified candidates for compliance-related jobs, network member CommonBond Communities created a program to train residents for professional jobs in the compliance field. The internship program gives low-income residents the skills and certification they need to not only secure a job but start a new career. Excerpted from NeighborWorks Works: Practical Solutions from America's Community Development Network Read about CommonBond's program Video tells story of two moms who achieved their dream Through education and hard work, two single mothers finally realized their dream of homeownership. The women received assistance from NeighborWorks member One Roof Community Housing. In FY16, One Roof assisted more than 760 individuals and families with affordable housing and counseling. Watch the video If you would like to use any of the content above, please contact Racine Tucker-Hamilton. View this email in your browser You are receiving this email because of your relationship with NeighborWorks America. Please reconfirm your interest in receiving emails from us. If you do not wish to receive any more emails, you can unsubscribe here. 999 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 900, Washington, DC, 20002 Update Profile/Email Address