ETA News Release: [October 28, 2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post or Ed Frank
Phone Number: 202-693-3984 or 202-693-4676
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces $8.1 Million to Aid Ohio Workers Affected by Storm-Related Floods
CARROLLTON, Ohio- U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a National Emergency Grant of $8,152,627 to assist workers in Ohio who lost their jobs due to recent storm-related flooding. The grant will have an initial release of $2.7 million.
"The President and I want to do everything we can to help Ohio workers affected by recent storms get back on their feet," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This $8.1 million grant will create more than 350 jobs for unemployed workers to help with disaster clean-up and assist in restoring and rebuilding the communities in Ohio that have been impacted by these storms."
Awarded to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the grant will provide temporary jobs for workers who became unemployed as a result of severe storms and flooding in the southeastern part of the state, as well as other dislocated workers. The emergency funds will be used on projects to help restore and rebuild areas of the community that were affected by flooding.
Workers will also help with demolition, renovation, and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities and lands and will be able to assist with work on homes of economically disadvantaged individuals who are eligible for the federally-funded weatherization program. Priority will be given to services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
The grant will fund temporary jobs for approximately 363 individuals in the following 15 counties declared eligible for public assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Athens, Belmont, Columbiana, Carroll, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, and Washington counties.
Workers who have lost their source of income due to the flooding and who do not take advantage of the jobs program announced today may be eligible for state unemployment insurance benefits. To apply for assistance, workers should contact their nearest One-Stop Career Center. To find the closest One-Stop Center, call 1-877-US2-JOBS or visit www.servicelocator.org.
###
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7773 or TTY (202) 693-7755.
