The State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded Duluth a $285,000 grant from the State Workforce Development Funds, Mayor Don Ness is expected to announce Friday.

The funds are made available to assist former employees of Georgia Pacific. The corporation closed its Duluth plant in early fall, putting 141 employees out of work. The grant will help the city serve up to 80 dislocated workers who are skilled and experienced but too young to retire and/or need additional training or assistance in order to return to the labor workforce. Financial assistance will also be available for retraining programs.

The grant is effective immediately and runs through the end of 2013, with an option to request an extension if needed.

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