Scalise: $7.5 Million approved for Louisiana Workforce

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor recently approved a National Emergency Grant of up to $7.5 million for the Louisiana Workforce Commission to assist workers affected by company closures and mass layoffs due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“Keeping Louisiana’s workforce employed here at home has always been one of my top priorities,” Scalise said. “This grant will help our displaced workers get back on their feet.”
 
The initial award of $2,031,400 will be used for work force projects in 18 Parishes including Jefferson, Orleans, St. Charles and St. Tammany. The funds will be used for dislocated worker services such as assessment, counseling, case management, job search, job placement and follow-up services.

 Greater New Orleans and Greater Shreveport are the targeted areas for the program, and the two operators of the project will be the City of Shreveport Local Workforce Investment Area, and the First Planning District Consortium. Workers affected by multiple company closures and mass layoffs in Louisiana’s Region 1 and Region 7 workforce investment areas and long-term displaced workers in Region 1 affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are the target groups.

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Contact: Luke Bolar
202-226-4309