Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps (Northern Bedrock) was created to service two converging trends in Minnesota: the growing need for job training for young adults and the aging stock of historic resources. Northern Bedrock trains the future stewards of the state’s historic structures ensuring the legacy of our built environment while adding to the state’s skilled work force. Northern Bedrock’s mission is to develop lifelong workforce skills by connecting young people to the earth, cultures, and traditions through historic preservation work and outdoor service.

Northern Bedrock was established in 2011 to integrate historic preservation services into the proven
conservation corps service model. Over a half million young adults are navigating a job market demanding skills and credentialing beyond a high school diploma. The state’s economy, known for its high-quality workforce, stands to be further strengthened by effective expansion of the number of young adult residents with marketable, transferrable skills. Among these are skills involved in the myriad of historic preservation related fields. Furthermore, while population and economic growth are projected to remain stable in the coming 30 years, the rate at which young residents pursue work in the construction trades is declining. Opportunities for young people to experience work in the trades will increase potential for them to choose careers in the building trades, preservation and historic rehabilitation fields.

Today across Minnesota, communities are exploring new ways to harness the cultural and economic value of historic structures and sites. These resources comprise a broad range of historic assets, including 7,000 locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as over 50,000 historic structures and 16,500 archaeological sites identified by Minnesota’s statewide historic survey program.1 Stakeholders including federal, state and local elected officials, and leaders of historic organizations each recognize the substantial economic impact and cultural importance of historic sites and programs. However, governments and nonprofit organizations in many Minnesota communities are struggling to provide the ongoing stewardship and maintenance required to realize the full potential of historic resources. Of historic organizations surveyed in a market scan for the Northern Bedrock business plan, 71% indicated a project backlog. Among 41 respondents, the estimated backlog totaled $135 million.

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