WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a grant of $10 million to the state of Kansas, with $5 million released initially, to create approximately 1,000 temporary jobs to assist in cleanup and recovery efforts taking place in areas affected by recent floods.

“This $10 million grant will put about 1,000 Kansans to work helping communities recover from the recent flood damage,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. 

On July 2, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared the following 17 counties eligible for public assistance: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Elk, Franklin, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Wilson and Woodson. 

The grant, awarded to the Kansas Department of Commerce, will be used for temporary employment on projects that assist with cleanup and recovery in the aftermath of flooding that affected southeastern areas of the state.  Workers eligible to apply for the temporary jobs include those dislocated as a result of the floods, other dislocated workers, and the long-term unemployed.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines.

For more information on National Emergency Grants and other Department of Labor employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.