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ETA News Release: [06/23/2003]
Contact Name: Elissa Pruett
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

Labor Grants Will Aid Dislocated South Dakota Workers

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces Two National Emergency Grants Totaling over $1.4 Million

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced two National Emergency Grants totaling over $1.4 million that will aid approximately 475 dislocated South Dakota workers. 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 helping displaced workers access the job and skills training they need to find new jobs that will enable them to provide for themselves and their families," Chao said. "We hope these funds will be deployed as quickly as possible to help these South Dakota workers."

The grant projects deliver critical help to dislocated South Dakota workers, underscoring one of the main goals of the President’s economic agenda. One grant of over $1 million will aid 300 workers dislocated from the Gateway plant located in Sioux Falls and North Sioux City, South Dakota. The second grant of over $455,000 will assist 200 South Dakotans who lost their jobs in the Call Center Industry. Both projects will be operated by the South Dakota Department of Labor and will provide a variety of transition-related assistance including assessment, counseling, training, job development, job placement and supportive services.

“Helping American workers who have lost their jobs remains a top priority for this Administration,” said Chao.

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

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