|
 Printer-Friendly Version
OPA News Release: [04/10/2002]
Contact Name: Elissa
Pruett
Labor Grants Will Aid Dislocated Oregon Workers
Chao Announces
Three National Emergency Grants Totaling
Over $7.4 Million To Supplement
Re-employment Programs
WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced
three National Emergency Grants totaling more than $7,400,000 to aid over 3,000
workers laid off due to long term, broad based economic decline in several
industries across the state. National Emergency Grants are part of the
secretary’s discretionary fund. A grant is awarded after a state or local
workforce investment board submits a request and the grant guidelines have been
met.
“The President and I are committed to getting Oregon’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 Oregonians back to work.”
The Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development
was awarded $5,041,477 to provide services to 2,483 workers who lost their jobs
or are facing layoffs due to long term, broad based economic decline in high
tech, manufacturing, telecom, tourism and lumber industries. An additional
$1,091,044 will provide services to 160 workers who were impacted by the
closure of Pictsweet Mushroom Farms in Salem. Workers who lost their jobs from
multiple companies in Lane County will receive $1,228,084 in aid through the
Lane County Workforce Partnership. The grant funds will supplement existing
reemployment programs including: job search assistance, job development, job
placement, basic skills training and counseling, and supportive services
payments for workers enrolled in training. Supportive services can be used to
help pay transportation, child or dependent care and emergency support for
utilities, if the state chooses and when resources cannot be obtained from
other programs.
“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.”
Last month, President Bush submitted his supplemental budget request to
Congress that would invest another $750 million in worker retraining efforts,
including another $550 million for the National Emergency Grant program,
restoration of the $110 million rescission of federal funds for dislocated
worker programs, $50 million to support a Targeted High-Growth Job Training
Initiative, and $40 million in additional funding for the Department of
Commerce Community Adjustment Program, which coupled with National Emergency
Grants, will help communities develop a “road map” for long-term
economic recovery and job creation.
The President also signed the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act,
extending unemployment benefits for up to 13 weeks through 2002, giving states
$8 billion in additional funds to improve unemployment benefits and services
and providing new tax incentives to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
For more information on the Department of Labor’s unemployment and
re-employment programs please go to www.dol.gov.
# # #
_________________________________________________________________
| 
