US Department of Labor provides more than $2.7 million to continue recovery efforts in Louisiana

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $2,769,323 National Emergency Grant increment to continue clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of damage caused by Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana in 2008.

"This grant will provide additional funding to employ impacted workers in the ongoing clean-up and rebuilding efforts that followed the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Louisiana is still in the process of recovering from Gustav, and I am pleased that our department can continue offering this support."

This second increment will be awarded to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Funds will be used to create more temporary jobs to assist in the recovery efforts as a result of the devastation caused by the hurricane. In addition, it will provide workforce development services for many of the participants after the temporary employment ends in order to assist them in obtaining permanent employment.

In September 2008, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared all 64 parishes in Louisiana eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program. On Sept. 9, 2008, a grant in the amount of $22,200,000 was awarded to the state, with $7,400,000 released initially, to create up to 4,000 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist in the clean-up and recovery efforts.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.