WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a $2 million grant, with an initial release of $750,000, to Louisiana to generate approximately 200 temporary jobs to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts to help mitigate damage caused by storms and flooding.

“Recent storms and flooding across Louisiana have left a number of parishes in need of repair and cleanup,” said Secretary Chao. “With this $2 million grant, dislocated workers will earn income providing humanitarian assistance and helping communities recover from the storm damage.”

On Nov. 2, 2006, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 12 Louisiana parishes eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance program. The parishes are Beauregard, Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Grant, La Salle, Madison, Morehouse, Richland, Sabine, Vernon and Winn.

The grant, awarded to the Louisiana Department of Labor, will target workers dislocated as a result of the storms and flooding, other dislocated workers and the long-term unemployed.

This grant will support projects that provide food, clothing, shelter, and other humanitarian assistance for flood victims. Participants also may have access to re-employment services to help them prepare to re-enter the workforce.

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 Labor Department employment and training programs, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG/.