Rural Minnesota CEP prepares for shutdown; WorkForce Center may close

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Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. (RMCEP) is a private, non-profit company that contracts with the state government to provide employment and training programs to unemployed and underemployed adults and youth.

Even though RMCEP is a private corporation, RMCEP has been notified that the state contract may not be honored if a budget agreement is not reached between the Minnesota legislature and governor. As a result, RMCEP must cease providing state employment and training services at the end of the day on June 30.

All staff not essential to the provision of county and reservation programs will be furloughed beginning July 1. This will mean that your local WorkForce Center may have to close temporarily.

Staff essential to the operation of county programs will be available to continue to provide employment services under contracts are with those entities.

Although this situation is discouraging there are still scenarios which would keep RMCEP fully operational.

--The legislature and governor agree on a budget.

--The court determines that federally funded programs must continue to operate.

RMCEP is faced with an unprecedented situation, according to its leaders. They added that staff remains committed to clients and customers and plans to resume operations as soon as funds become available.

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