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OPA Press Release:
Minnesota Displaced Workers Receive Federal Aid
Chao Announces $8 Million To Help Individuals Affected By The Sept. 11th Tragedy [10/30/2001]

WASHINGTON-U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced an $8 million National Emergency Grant for the state of Minnesota today.

"In the wake of the Sept. 11^th attacks, we have seen people in airline and related industries negatively impacted by lay-offs," Chao said. "This National Emergency Grant reflects the Administration's dedication to reemploying every American worker. The money will go towards skills training and will aid dislocated workers in finding new employment. If we can pass the President's Back-to-Work plan, grants like these could be expanded to cover health care costs, too."

The grant money will serve approximately 2,500 laid-off airline and related industry workers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Minnesota has already begun rapid response activities, which include on-site mobile resource centers, unemployment benefit information and job fairs. With the millions of dollars in federal aid, Minnesota will be able to strengthen current programs as well as create new avenues for workers to gain the skills training they deserve.

The workforce investment activities include job search assistance, entrepreneurial training, vocational training, relocation assistance and supportive services, including childcare, transportation and emergency medical assistance. The grantee for this National Emergency Grant will be the Minnesota Department of Economic Security, and Trade and Economic Development.

Is passed by Congress, President Bush's Back-to-Work plan, will help the economy recover by providing increased assistance to dislocated workers. The plan will extend unemployment benefits by 13 weeks, providing a total of nine months of coverage for unemployed workers, while ensuring continued access to health coverage during this period of economic uncertainty. The proposal will use the unemployment benefits system, rather than creating new programs, to deal with America's economic slowdown.

For more information on the Department of Labor's reemployment programs, please go to www.dol.gov.

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