May 30—WALKER — The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development awarded $3.9 million in Job Creation Fund and Minnesota Investment Fund awards for business expansion projects statewide, including a $175,000 grant to Yoyo Donuts in Walker.

According to a release, the Minnesota Investment Fund provides financing to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs, with a focus on industrial, manufacturing and technology-related industries, increasing the local and state tax base and improving Minnesota’s economic vitality. Funds are awarded to local units of government, which provide loans to assist expanding businesses.

The projects are expected to create or retain 225 jobs and leverage nearly $56.3 million in outside investment.

Yoyo Donuts is a nut-free bakery specializing in donuts distributed across the United States. Yoyo Donuts has a production facility in Minnetonka that provides products for the Walker storefront.

As the Walker facility undergoes renovations to include production and expand storage and shipping capacity, Minnesota Investment funds will be used to purchase new production equipment. The total project cost is $991,812 and is expected to create 15 new jobs, the release said.

“Minnesota is one of the best places in the country to start and grow a business,” DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said in the release. “The Minnesota Investment Fund and Job Creation Fund are just two of many programs DEED offers to help businesses expand and offer well-paying jobs for skilled Minnesotans.”

Nine grants were awarded across greater Minnesota.