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ETA News Release: [12/15/2003]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984

U.S. Secretary of Labor Announces $4.2 Million Grant to Aid Dislocated Georgia Workers

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a National Emergency Grant of $4.2 million to aid approximately 125 workers who lost their jobs when Brown and Williamson closed its cigarette plant in Macon, Ga. An initial amount of $585,905 will be released immediately.

“This Administration is committed to get re-employment assistance to these workers as quickly as possible,” Chao said. “This $4.2 million grant means these former Brown and Williamson workers will receive an array of employment and transition services, including skills assessment, job placement, classroom training, occupational skills training, and supportive services such as transportation and child care.”

The grant, awarded to the Georgia Department of Labor, will serve workers from the following counties: Spalding, Butts, Jasper, Putnam, Hancock, Washington, Wilkinson, Laurens, Bleckley, Houston, Peach, Crawford, Bibb, Upson, Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Twiggs and Taylor. The Macon-Bibb Office of Workforce Development and the Middle Georgia Consortium will operate the project. Workers who want to apply for assistance should call or visit their local One-Stop Career Center.

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.

For additional information on the Department of Labor’s unemployment and re-employment programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.

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