ST. LOUIS, MO – U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced $2 million in federal funds to help Missouri workers laid-off from companies in St. Louis.

 

            “Today’s announcement will give St. Louis’ workers who lost their jobs some much needed hope this holiday season,” said Bond.

 

            The $2,019,861 grant from the Department of Labor will help approximately 475 Missouri workers laid-off from St. Louis companies, including Continental AFA Dispensing Co., Macy’s Inc., TRUE Fitness Technology and Western Union.  $1,169,960 will be made available immediately.

 

            Bond detailed that the $2 million grant will be awarded to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and will help laid-off Missourians with skills assessment, individual career counseling, education occupational skills training, and workshops in entrepreneurial opportunities.  Bond added that for workers with limited transferable skills the funds will provide longer-term training. 

 

            With the loss of almost 10,000 jobs and unemployment rising to 6.7 percent in November, Missourians have suffered hard during the current financial crisis.  As the State’s senior Senator, Bond has been fighting to keep the crisis from getting worse for Missouri workers.  Most recently, Bond worked across the aisle to provide the auto companies with the emergency loan assistance they need to protect the more than 200,000 auto related jobs in Missouri and the millions nationwide. 

 

            Bond stressed that while keeping the American auto industry from going under is critical, more must be done to help the struggling economy and most importantly, Missouri workers.  Bond is working to see proposals signed into law that will not only create jobs and put Missourians back to work immediately but also improve their quality of life.  Just last week, Bond announced a bipartisan proposal to stimulate the economy through building and expanding community health centers and health professions training programs.  These construction dollars will immediately create jobs, improve health care access for working families, pregnant women, children and elderly, and save health care dollars. 

 

            “I will continue to fight for Missouri workers, many who have lost their jobs as a result of the economic crisis,” said Bond.  “While the federal assistance announced today is critical to helping these workers get back on their feet I am working to pass initiatives that will create jobs, rebuild our infrastructure and improve health care for Missourians,” said Bond.