The Iron Range Resources Wage Subsidy Program has been approved for another year and extended to 52 weeks of reimbursement. Businesses eligible for the extension include both new applicants as well as those that have already participated. This means an additional 26 weeks of reimbursement is available for employees who have already been or are currently on the program, for a total of up to $10,000 per employee.
The program provides eligible businesses headquartered within the Taconite Assistance Area a wage subsidy that amounts to the lesser of $5 per hour or 50 percent of a new employee’s wage for up to 52 weeks or $10,000, whichever occurs first. As many as five employees can be hired through the program for any one business, for a total of up to $50,000.
The program was originally approved by the Iron Range Resources Board in June 2009 to support job growth within the Iron Range Resources service area. The program is administered through the Northeast Minnesota Workforce Centers in Virginia, Hibbing, Grand Rapids, and Aitkin and AEOA offices in Cook and Lake counties.
To be eligible, businesses in any industry (excluding public administration) must be headquartered within the Iron Range Resources’ Taconite Assistance Area for at least one year. Businesses with employees on active layoff status or a reduced work schedule are not eligible. Priority will be given to eligible businesses with 25 or fewer employees, and all applications must be for new full-time, permanent positions. Funding is limited and only available on a first come, first served basis.
Employers interested in applying for the program can obtain an application at a local Workforce Center or www.jobtrainingmn. org.
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