Southeast Minnesota Resources
Here's a list of organizations that can help you get the services you need to find a job, and the support services you need while you're looking for a job. This list includes WorkForce Centers, Adult Basic Education locations, and community services.
-
Minnesota WorkForce Centers
Think of the WorkForce Centers as your job search partners.
WorkForce Centers are open to everyone. They provide services to support you in your job search. At a WorkForce Center, you can find out where the jobs are. You'll have the resources you need to apply for those jobs.Services you'll find at Minnesota WorkForce Centers:
- Job listings and placement
You'll find listings of local, state, and national jobs. You can also search online job listings through MinnesotaWorks. - Job search help and training
Looking to improve your job seeking skills? Need help building your resume? WorkForce Centers offer workshops and individualized training to help you market yourself successfully. - Resource center
Need a place to work on your job search? The resource center gives you free use of computers, printers, Internet, fax machines, and a resource library. You can make calls, send e-mails, fax resumes. - Veteran's services
Veterans receive individualized orientation to WorkForce Center services. They also receive help finding veteran's programs and services throughout Minnesota. - Specialized services for the blind or disabled
WorkForce Centers have specialized programs for the blind or disabled. They work with job seekers so that a disability does not stand in the way of getting a good job. - Rural Minnesota CEP (Concentrated Employment Program)
The CEP program provides job training and employment opportunities to serve your unique needs if you are economically disadvantaged and are unemployed or under-employed.
- Job listings and placement
-
Southeast Minnesota WorkForce Center Locations
Albert Lea
1649 W Main Street
Albert Lea, MN 56007-1868
Phone: 507-379-3409
MN Relay 711
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - FridayAustin
1600 8th Ave NW
Austin, MN 55912-1400
Phone: 507-433-0555
TTY: 507-433-0556
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - FridayFaribault
201 Lyndale Ave S, Suite 1
Faribault, MN 55021-5758
Phone: 507-333-2047
TTY: 507-333-2047
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - FridayOwatonna
631 N Cedar Ave.
Owatonna, MN 55060-2323
Phone: 507-446-1470
TTY: 507-446-1470
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - FridayRed Wing
1606 W 3rd Street
Red Wing, MN 55066-2086
Phone: 651-385-6480
TTY: 651-385-6404
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - FridayRochester
300 11th Ave NW, Suite 112
Rochester, MN 55901-2739
Phone: 507-285-7315
TTY: 507-280-3584
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - FridayWinona
1250 Homer Road, Suite 200
Winona, MN 55987-4897
Phone: 507-453-2920
TTY: 507-453-2930
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday -
Adult Basic Education
Want to improve your skills for a better job, get your high school diploma, or gain the academic skills you need to go to college?
If you answered yes to any of the above and you are 16 or older, then Adult Basic Education (ABE) is for you. ABE offers:
- General: adult diploma, alternative high school, brush up, citizenship, distance learning, family literacy, learning disabilities, math instruction
- Reading: reading basic, reading intermediate, reading tutoring
- GED: classes, tutoring, test site, online
- Computer training: open computer lab, application specific, as an instructional tool
- ESL: pre-literate, beginner, intermediate, advanced, tutoring
- Transitions/brush up/career prep: transitions to postsecondary, employment readiness and training, work readiness, workforce education
Search for ABE programs.
-
Business Services
Minnesota Small Business Development Centers
Offers confidential consulting at nine regional locations throughout the state to help business owners run successful businesses. Counselors can provide services in management, finances, marketing, business plan development, strategic planning, and website development.Southeast Regional Small Business Development Center (located in Rochester)
Offers at no cost, confidential consulting to help regional businesses identify, understand, and overcome the challenges of starting and running a business. They have five locations:- Albert Lea / Freeborn County Business Development Center
- City of Winona / Goodhue County Small Business Development Center
- Owatonna Business Incubator
- Rice County Small Business Development Center
- Southeastern Minnesota Development Corporation (Chatfield)
Rochester Opportunity
Enables individuals to find new business and job opportunities. Provides a medium for interested parties to form new business ventures with the provided talent pool. Also provides a liaison to established businesses, especially local businesses.Rochester Entrepreneur Network
Brings together local entrepreneurs and inventors to provide a space for encouragement, learning, and networking. It's a public network, open to anyone. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The meetings are held at the Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. office at 220 S. Broadway Suite 100, main floor of the Holiday Inn Express.SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business
A national nonprofit association that is dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth, and success of the nation's small businesses. The local chapters offer free counseling on starting a new or maintaining an existing small business. They cover areas like financing, marketing, business plan development, accounting, and management. -
Community Services
Youth Programs and Services
Use this tool to find youth programs and services in your community.Need other services like child care or housing assistance while you look for a job?
There are organizations across Southeast Minnesota to help you meet your family's needs. Types of services include:- Child care referrals and assistance
- Head Start programs
- Housing assistance programs
- Energy and fuel assistance
- Weatherization
- Senior services
- Tax clinics
- Food assistance
- Child car seat education and assistance
Find a family service near you
Channel One, Inc. Food Bank and Food Shelf
Provides hunger relief for people in Southeast Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. It is headquartered in Rochester, MN.Child Care Resource & Referral
Helps families secure child care and prepares children for school. Also offers assistance and resources for child care providers.Family Service Rochester
Provides a wide range of human services that educate, strengthen, support, protect, and empower individuals and families in the community.Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota
Provides a variety of services to communities across the state. Their focus areas include children and families, older adults, and people with disabilities. Search for services.Olmsted Community Action
Provides residents of Olmsted County with short-term financing for specific situations. Also provides resources to help prevent homelessness and build savings.The Rochester Foundation
Provides grant funding for a variety of issues in the greater Rochester area. Focus areas include arts and culture, community development, education, human services, and recreation.SEMCAC Community Action Agency
Provides a variety of services to the communities within Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower, Winona, Houston, and Steele counties. Their programs include outreach activities, community development services, a medical clinic, transportation assistance, senior services, and Head Start programming.Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
Provides funding and grants to encourage emerging businesses and workforce development opportunities for their 20-county region. This initiative supports bio-business, entrepreneurship, and minority-led businesses. Also supports early childhood education, career exploration, engaged elders, and immigrants.Three Rivers Community Action
Provides services to Rice, Goodhue, and Wabasha counties. Services include Head Start, housing and community development, energy assistance, family development and crisis programs, public transportation, senior services, weatherization, loan programs, and continuum of care services.United Way of Olmsted County
Provides a range of services for residents of Olmsted county. Services include volunteer opportunities, the Women's Leadership Council, Emerging Leaders in Giving network, and many other services. -
Regional & Local Resources
Chambers of Commerce
Local Chambers of Commerce can provide information on business activities in the community, investment opportunities, and a variety of community services specific to that city or area.- Albert Lea
- Austin
- Blooming Prairie
- Cannon Falls
- Faribault
- Kasson
- La Crescent
- Lake City
- Lanesboro
- Northfield
- Owatonna
- Plainview
- Red Wing
- Rochester
- St. Charles
- Spring Valley
- Stewartville
- Wabasha
- Winona
Economic Development Organizations
These local organizations are responsible for helping to coordinate, support, and promote local economic development.- Albert Lea
- Alliant Energy Economic and Community Development (serving Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, and portions of Winona and Houston counties)
- Kenyon
- Lake City
- Northfield
- Owatonna Partners for Development
- People's Cooperative Service (serving Dodge, Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona counties)
- Pine Island
- Red Wing Port Authority
- Rice County
- Rochester Area Economic Development
- Southeast Minnesota Development Corporation
- City of Winona Port Authority
- Zumbrota
Southeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership —The Experiment in Rural Cooperation (University of Minnesota)
The Experiment in Rural Cooperation, in partnership with many regional communities, aims to support community-based initiatives in agriculture, natural resources, tourism, and community development.Southeast Clean Energy Resource Teams
The Clean Energy Resource Team promotes renewable energy from the region. They support locally-owned, renewable energy projects. They also provide information and support on energy efficiency and conservation, outreach, education, and emerging technologies.Workforce Development Inc.
This nonprofit organization connects people looking with work with employers seeking a strong workforce. They have services for job seekers, employers, teenagers, and people looking for continuing education or exploring new careers. They also provide labor market information about the region and local news stories. They have a blog to keep their readers up to date on workforce development news in the region.University of Minnesota Extension Offices
The extension offices provide communities with educators and researchers to address issues about food and agriculture systems, community development, families, youth, and the environment. They have an office and educators in each county in the state.