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ETA News Release: [01/15/2003]
Contact Name: Elissa Pruett
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

Labor Grant Will Aid Dislocated Iowa Workers

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces Second National Emergency Grant in Two Days to Supplement Iowa’s Re-employment Programs

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced the second National Emergency Grant for Iowa in two days. The grant provides up to $354,000 that will aid 55 Iowa workers laid off from Ball Corporation, Mau Trucking, Inc and Sergeant Bluff’s Call Center. $122,000 will be provided immediately. National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary’s discretionary fund. A grant is awarded after a state submits a request and the grant guidelines have been met.

“The President and I are committed to getting Iowa’s displaced workers the job and skills training they need to find re-employment,” Chao said. “I hope these funds will be deployed right away to get these workers back to work.”

The grant project underscores one of the main goals of the President’s economic agenda, delivering critical help to unemployed Iowa citizens, as well as affected workers in Union County, South Dakota and Dakota and Thurston Counties in Nebraska. Operated by Iowa Workforce Development, the grant will supplement existing re-employment programs including: job search assistance, job development, job placement, basic skills training and counseling.

“Helping American workers who have lost their jobs remains a top priority for this Administration,” said Chao. “The President and I believe temporary assistance for displaced workers will help the economy grow quickly and create more desirable and secure jobs.”

For more information on the Department of Labor’s unemployment and re-employment programs please go to www.dol.gov.

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