Minnesota's Dislocated Worker Program announced Wednesday that it awarded $2.2 million in grants to provide services for 585 workers who were laid off from eight businesses located in the state of Minnesota.

Former employees at two Lowe's stores as well as workers at Superior Plating Inc., Cerenity Senior Care Center, G&D Integrated, Mesaba Airlines, Verso Paper, and Reynolds Food Packaging will receive services to help them get back to work, including assistance exploring new careers, updating skills and learning job-hunting strategies.

"Losing a job can cause significant stress for workers and their families," said Mark Phillips, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), which administers the program. "The Dislocated Worker Program helps ease the transition for people who are looking for new work or want to train for new careers."

The grants will be administered through the state's workforce centers and job training partners. The amounts awarded range from $200,000 to $480,000.