Minnesota Awards $3.6M in Grants for Cannabis Businesses and Education

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded $3.6 million in grants for businesses to enter the state’s adult-use cannabis industry and train workers for industry jobs.  

Through the state’s CanNavigate, CanStartup, and CanTrain programs, 11 organizations were awarded grants between $100,000 and $500,000 for various programs aimed at providing technical assistance, job training, and opening or expanding a cannabis business in the state. 

In a statement, DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said the state’s adult-use cannabis industry is “exciting” for the state’s businesses and workers.   

“We’re committed to ensuring social equity in the cannabis industry, working alongside our regulatory partners securing market integrity, and supporting Minnesota’s community-focused lenders and workforce development organizations around the state.” — Varilek in a press release 

Through the CanNavigate program, three organizations were awarded grants: 

CanStartup also awarded grants to three organizations:  

While CanTrain awarded grants to five organizations: 

The agency previously awarded 11 grants through its CanRenew program which help fund projects addressing a range of community needs, including economic development, public health, violence prevention, youth development, and civil legal aid.