WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded nearly $123 million to 68 community colleges and community-based institutions that competed successfully under the President's Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative. Awardees were chosen from among 274 applications received in response to a competition announced Oct. 10, 2008.

"The $123 million awarded today will expand enrollment in education and training programs, and provide more workers with the skills they need to succeed," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to a 12-county area encompassing western Kentucky, northwestern Tennessee and southern Illinois. Led by the West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, area leaders will establish a regional strategic plan that promotes economic growth and is prepared for dislocation events.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $6 million grant to the state of California to fund approximately 353 temporary jobs to assist with continued cleanup efforts following the 2008 Southern California wildfires.

"This $6 million grant will fund temporary jobs for workers to help communities cleanup and recover from the southern California wildfires," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced nearly $5.5 million in awards to 18 faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) as part of the President's Prisoner Re-entry Initiative (PRI). Each chosen group was awarded more than $300,000.

"These $5.5 million in grants will advance local faith-based and community organization efforts to equip ex-prisoners with basic job skills, counseling and opportunities to earn an honest living in our communities," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 524,000, an increase of 54,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 470,000. The 4-week moving average was 518,500, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised average of 526,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.4 percent for the week ending Jan. 3, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.4 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,891,738 grant to assist approximately 651 trade-affected workers of Hynix Semiconductor Manufacturing America Inc. in Eugene, Ore.

"This $1.9 million grant will provide these Oregonians with skills training that will help them attain positions in the health care and information technology industries," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $528,722 grant to assist workers affected by layoffs at Prime Tanning Co. Inc. in Berwick, Maine. Layoffs occurred on Sept. 29, 2008, and all production has since ceased at the Berwick facility.

"Today's grant will provide affected Maine workers with the necessary training and employment services to help their re-employment prospects in area industries," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $720,000 grant to the state of Indiana to create temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery efforts as a result of storms and flooding in September.

"The storms that hit Indiana this fall continue to affect Hoosiers up and down the state," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell. "Today's grant will provide those affected with temporary jobs to help communities recover from the damage caused by the storms and flooding."

Awards will go to 20 projects in 16 states

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced $10 million in grants to increase access to technology-based learning. Twenty projects were selected from a pool of 193 applications.

"These $10 million in grants will increase workers' access to skills training through the Internet, video teleconferencing and other technology-based learning media," said Secretary Chao.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Jan. 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 467,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 491,000. The 4-week moving average was 525,750, a decrease of 27,000 from the previous week's revised average of 552,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.4 percent for the week ending Dec. 27, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.4 percent.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that more than $28 million in National Emergency Grant (NEG) funds has been awarded to 35 states, the District of Columbia and Guam, each of which could be affected by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations.