VERONA, Wis. — Dane County is investing $2 million in the Badger Prairie Needs Network to bolster the organization’s job training efforts and fund a new multi-use gathering space.
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced the new funding at a press conference alongside BPNN leaders, representatives from Latino Academy of Workforce Development and other community members.
The planned 4,800 square foot space would be used as a gathering place for job trainings, wellness programming and the relaunch of the organization’s weekend community meal program. BPNN’s weekend meal program previously shut down at the beginning of the pandemic.
“We are incredibly excited to announce this $2 million investment in BPNN’s building expansion and job training initiative to improve economic mobility and financial stability for more Dane County residents in underserved communities,” Parisi said. “It is through these types of partnerships that we hope to help residents and the Dane County community recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This addition to BPNN will serve as a new hub for community programs and services on the southwest side of Dane County.”
Parisi said the $2 million investment will come from Dane County’s aid received as part of the federal American Rescue Plan passed earlier this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once completed, job trainings will focus on teaching members of underserved communities skills they can use in the transportation industry.
“The growth of e-commerce has created a growing demand among employers for workers who are trained in the transportation industry and hold CDL licenses,” said Baltazar De Andra Santana, Executive Director of the Latino Academy of Workforce Development. “Positions in the transportation industry offer higher wages on average than low-wage jobs lost in the pandemic. We are excited to partner with Badger Prairie Needs Network and help create job opportunities for underserved communities in this new space.”
A resolution to approve the multi-million dollar investment is expected to be introduced to the County Board in the coming weeks.
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