Minnesota Businesses Join Fight Against Extremist Recruiting

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Some Minnesota businesses and private foundations are playing a big role in a federal pilot program aimed at countering terrorism.

They're committing nearly $400,000 and are joining efforts such as mentoring or leadership ventures designed to make Somali young people less vulnerable to terrorist recruitment.

Those getting involved include the Mall of America, the massive shopping complex that has long been seen as a symbolic target. The mall is putting an undisclosed amount of money toward the project and says public safety is one reason.

Minneapolis' large concentration of Somali immigrants has been a target for terrorism recruiters. Dozens of young people have been lured overseas. Experts say the problem is so big and hard to fix that the government, law enforcement and non-governmental organizations can't do it alone.