Three Natural Resource-Based Businesses To Get Idaho Worker Training Grants

Roadside Pictures / Flickr Creative Commons

Amalgamated Sugar's Nampa, Idaho facility.

The Idaho Department of Labor today approved training grants for three southern Idaho businesses.

The grants total more than $567,000 and are paid for by a tax on businesses.

The Labor Department says High Desert Milk in Burley can receive up to $144,000 to train 20 new employees for operations, lab work, safety and maintenance.

Amalgamated Sugar can receive up to $406,000 to train 78 new maintenance mechanics for its Paul and Twin Falls facilities.  

Burley-based Boise Paper Holdings can receive up to $17,377 to train 15 workers in safety and productions.

In order for businesses to receive grants through the Workforce Development Training fund, the company must pay at least $12 per hour plus benefits, be in the health care sector or sell a majority of its product or services outside of its region.

The training grants are intended to encourage businesses to create new jobs or retain employees who might otherwise be laid off unless their skills are updated.