SOMERS - The University of Wisconsin-Parkside plans to start taking applications next month for $1 million in federal grants to help promote economic recovery for low-income workers.

Money from the Strengthening Communities Fund will be distributed to nonprofit agencies in Racine and Kenosha counties.

"If nonprofits are working with individuals in need of job training or families in transition from welfare to work, or people in need of intensive services, these organizations are ultimately affecting work force development," Debra Karp, director of Parkside's Nonprofit Development Program, said in a press release. The idea of the grants, she said, is to identify each agency's niche and build on its strengths.

The Parkside program is one of only a few Wisconsin organizations to have received these funds, the press release said. Local nonprofits operating or planning work force development and economic recovery programs must complete a competitive application to be eligible for these grants. Preference will be given to organizations with budgets under $500,000. Applications must include a demonstration of how an agency would use its strengths to boost economic recovery and work force development.

Applications should be available in December. For more information on the grant program, call (262) 595-2367.