ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton is setting up a new office to tackle economic disparities for minorities in the state.

Dayton announced his plans for the Office of Career and Business Opportunity on Sunday. The office’s two full-time staff members will help businesses adopt hiring practices and break down barriers to employment in communities of color. It will be a part of the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The new office comes after a troubling U.S. Census Bureau report showing median income for blacks fell sharply between 2013 and 2014.

Dayton says Minnesota can’t afford to ignore those problems anymore. He calls his new office an important first step to take on the economic disparities.