Bloomington seeks $300,000 to expand Bloom youth internship and workforce program

Sen. Elise Mann on Wednesday proposed $300,000 in state workforce development funding to expand Bloomington’s Bloom internship and year‑round workforce program, saying the grant would support career exploration and internships for young people ages 16 to 24.

The Bloom program provides paid summer internships and year‑round workforce supports with a focus on youth who face barriers to employment, Sen. Mann said. Kim Berger, Bloomington’s community development director, and Holly Masick, the city’s port authority administrator, told the committee the program partners with local employers and schools to place interns in manufacturing, professional services and government positions.

Bloomington officials said employer partners include Seagate, Polar Semiconductor, Larkin Hoffman, Wilderness Inquiry and TKDA, and that employers pay interns directly. Kim Berger told the committee the requested $300,000 would support staff time and program costs—while employers provide intern wages—enabling the city to expand employer connections and internship placements.

Fiscal analyst testimony said the request did not appear to conflict with budget rules; language in the bill makes the appropriation available until June 30, 2028, which staff said is similar to prior jobs bills. Committee members asked for additional fiscal detail on local matching and existing city investment.

City witnesses said Bloomington already committed a temporary staff position for the program in 2025 with a local cost they estimated at over $120,000 this year and program development costs of roughly $40,000–$60,000 across the prior two years (they said they would verify exact figures). Program leaders said Bloom doubled in size in its third year and had 15 participants last year; this year the program aimed for 30 intern spots and had 29 secured at the time of testimony.

Committee members asked how the program recruits participants and who is served; witnesses said Bloom recruits youth ages 16–24 who either attend school in Bloomington (high school or college), live in Bloomington, or are otherwise seeking work, with emphasis on youth who face barriers to employment. Staff said they coordinate with guidance counselors, Hire partners and local colleges such as Normandale Community College.

The committee laid Senate File 1410 over for possible inclusion in the jobs omnibus bill. Committee staff invited the city to provide follow‑up fiscal details in writing to the committee administrator.