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ETA News Release: [09/21/2006]
Contact Name: Melinda Thielen or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x3984
Release Number: 06-1656-PHI

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces a Nearly $2.2 Million Grant to Pennsylvania to Assist with Flood Recovery

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a $2,199,970 grant to aid Pennsylvania in ongoing efforts to recover from storms, flooding and mudslides. This grant is on top of $1,986,000 that Pennsylvania received in August to create 150 temporary jobs assisting in the cleanup and recovery effort.

"Much work remains to be done so that affected counties can recover from the storm and flood damage and there are flood victims still in need of assistance," said Secretary Chao. "This nearly $2.2 million grant will enable the state to create additional temporary jobs putting Pennsylvanians to work helping their communities and aiding flood victims."

The grant, awarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, will enable the state to create an additional 170 temporary jobs to assist in the cleanup and removal of debris. The temporary jobs will be filled by workers dislocated as a result of the flooding and mudslides, other eligible dislocated workers, and the long-term unemployed. The grant also will fund projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and other humanitarian assistance for flood victims.

On June 30, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared eight counties in Pennsylvania eligible for public assistance. The counties include Bradford, Bucks, Columbia, Luzerne, Northampton, Northumberland, Susquehanna and Wyoming. On July 18, FEMA declared 16 additional counties eligible for public assistance. The additional counties are Adams, Armstrong, Berks, Carbon, Chester, Franklin, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Monroe, Montour, Perry, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Tioga and Wayne.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary'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 Department of Labor employment and training programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.