WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced 13 grants totaling $9,899,200 aimed at providing young parents with employment and training opportunities to provide a better future for themselves and their families.

ROMULUS, Mich. – While in Romulus today touring the General Motors Romulus Engine Plant, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced that the U.S. Department of Labor is releasing an additional $49.9 million to the state of Michigan to provide career training and employment and case management services to workers whose jobs are impacted for trade-related reasons, as well as for associated administrative costs. Combined with the original fiscal year 2009 allocations, Michigan now has nearly $60 million available to assist trade-affected workers.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 623,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 636,000. The 4-week moving average was 626,750, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average of 629,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $4,639,299 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Vermont. Vermont qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits. Vermont's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $32,260,831 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Idaho. Idaho qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by providing for a variety of provisions that assist recent entrants to the workforce, part time workers and people who are upgrading their skills.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 631,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 643,000. The 4-week moving average was 628,500, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 632,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,320,100 grant to assist approximately 307 workers across the state of Minnesota affected by layoffs from 27 companies in the retail, service and manufacturing sectors of the declining automotive industry.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $62,817,683 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to be eligible for benefits. Virginia's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery/.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $462,096 grant to assist approximately 100 workers affected by layoffs at True Textiles Inc. located in Guilford and Newport, Maine.

"This grant will allow affected workers in Maine to access training and services that will aid them in obtaining re-employment in growing regional industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $10,175,575 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Hawaii. Hawaii qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to be eligible for benefits. Hawaii's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery/.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 637,000, an increase of 32,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 605,000. The 4-week moving average was 630,500, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised average of 624,500.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $137,580,702 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of New York. New York qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to be eligible for benefits. New York's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery/.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $725,075 grant increment to help Illinois officials with continued cleanup and recovery following the state's June 2008 severe storms and flooding.

"Last June, a series of severe storms resulted in widespread flooding in Illinois," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant increment will continue to fund temporary jobs for dislocated workers in the affected area."

National Emergency Grant provided during 1st Michigan trip for Secretary Solis

TROY, Mich. – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of $4,125,000 in National Emergency Grant funds to continue helping approximately 1,500 workers affected by permanent closures and mass layoffs in Michigan's automotive industry.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today released $101 million to help states provide career training, job search and relocation assistance to U.S. workers who lose their jobs for trade-related reasons.

"A revitalized Trade Adjustment Assistance program is an important element of our nation's economic recovery," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 601,000, a decrease of 34,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 635,000. The 4-week moving average was 623,500, a decrease of 14,750 from the previous week's revised average of 638,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.8 percent for the week ending April 25, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 4.7 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $130,063,620 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Minnesota. Minnesota qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits. Minnesota's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.dol.gov/recovery/.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $771,713 National Emergency Grant increment award to assist workers affected by automotive layoffs from Chrysler LLC in Fenton, Mo.; Integram St. Louis Seating in Pacific, Mo.; and Yushin USA in Kirksville, Mo. This funding represents the second and final installment of a $1,730,321 grant approved on April 23, 2008.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 631,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 645,000. The 4-week moving average was 637,250, a decrease of 10,750 from the previous week's revised average of 648,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,047,844 grant to assist approximately 240 workers affected by the closure of Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. manufacturing plants located in the rural communities of La Grande and Pendleton, Ore.

"This grant will allow affected workers in Oregon to access the services and training necessary to allow them to enter occupations in growing regional industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.