US Department of Labor awards $696K to continue employment, training services for coastal communities in 6 counties affected by layoffs in Maine

WASHINGTON – The Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $696,085 to Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. to continue employment and training services for dislocated workers affected by layoffs in Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo and York counties.

In February 2022, the department announced the award of a National Dislocated Worker Grant of up to $2,296,085 – with an initial award of $800,000 – to enable Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. to provide services for people in Maine’s coastal region. A second incremental award of $800,000, announced in July 2023, supported employment and training services after more workers in the region suffered layoffs. 

The award announced today follows layoffs at 54 employers, affecting more than 1,100 additional workers  since April 2023.  

National Dislocated Worker Grants are supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 to provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event, such as layoffs that lead to workforce needs exceeding available resources. 

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, this latest funding will support continued job search assistance and follow-up services for participants affected by communitywide layoffs in Maine’s coastal communities. With today’s announcement, the total awarded for the project is the full $2,296,085.