CTE Equipment Mini-Grant Impact Story: Milaca Public Schools

With support from a CTE Equipment Mini-Grant from Resource Training & Solutions, Milaca Public Schools is bringing student-designed marketing materials to life. The Business Education program, led by instructor Jennifer Taylor, used the grant to purchase a new large-format poster printer—replacing a decade-old model that could no longer be repaired.

The large-format printer has transformed the way students in grades 9–12 engage with marketing, design, and business concepts. Now, students can produce professional-quality posters that support classroom learning, student-run businesses, and community projects. "Our students create posters to promote our in-school businesses, decorate visual merchandising displays, and support not-for-profit marketing efforts that give back to our school and community," said Taylor. "They’re able to see their ideas come to life in a real and impactful way."

The new printer is more than just a classroom tool—it’s helping students develop career-ready skills in design, layout, marketing, and technology. Through career research projects, students create large posters that showcase their findings to the entire student body, promoting exploration and awareness of diverse career pathways. In addition, students gain firsthand experience running a student-led business that provides poster printing services to other departments across the district. "We have a student intern who manages the print shop alongside our apparel printing operation," Taylor explained. "It’s an incredible way for students to practice entrepreneurship while serving our school community."

The equipment also played a key role in Milaca’s summer programming, where 7th and 8th grade students participated in a summer experience that included launching their own business. They wrote business plans, designed marketing materials, and used the new printer to produce advertisements to promote their ideas—alongside custom-designed T-shirts.

No other department in the district has access to this type of equipment, giving the Business program a unique opportunity to offer innovative learning experiences and cross-departmental services. The addition of the printer has not only enhanced the curriculum but also increased student interest in business education courses.

Thanks to the CTE Equipment Mini-Grant, Milaca Public Schools is cultivating student creativity, technical skills, and entrepreneurial thinking—all while strengthening real-world connections in the classroom.

Resource Training & Solutions, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education and other educational service cooperatives, provides CTE Mini-Grants to support career and technical education initiatives within our nine-county region. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help schools enhance hands-on learning opportunities, connect students to local industry partners, and support educators pursuing CTE licensure. Eligible projects include job shadowing programs, new CTE courses, industry tours, internships, apprenticeships, teacher externships, and more. To qualify, projects must include at least one high school and a business or higher education partner while addressing local workforce needs.

For more information about CTE Mini-Grants, contact: Alison Orgaard, CTE Manager aorgaard@resourcecoop-mn.gov (320) 266-5640