WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3 million grant to create approximately 300 temporary cleanup and recovery jobs because of Florida's recent severe storms and flooding.

"Spring storms hit Florida hard, resulting in flooding throughout the panhandle region," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will create temporary jobs to help some area residents recover from the flooding's aftermath."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $627,961 grant to assist approximately 87 workers affected by the sudden closure of Wood Structures Inc. headquartered in Biddeford, Maine, with a manufacturing facility in Saco, Maine.

"The sudden loss of jobs within these communities warrants a response that offers workers opportunities to improve their current skills or pursue new careers in growing regional industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 640,000, an increase of 27,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 613,000. The 4-week moving average was 646,750, a decrease of 4,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 651,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,520,633 grant to assist approximately 300 workers affected by the closure of MPC Computers LLC in Nampa, Idaho.

"This grant will provide training and education opportunities for workers so that they can upgrade existing skills and transition to careers in new industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $54,227,780 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts 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.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $100,383,562 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Illinois. Illinois 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. Illinois' 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 $271,075 grant to assist approximately 75 workers affected by the closure of GE Lighting located in Willoughby, Ohio.

"This grant will allow affected Ohio workers to gain access to the services they need to help prepare them for new jobs in high-demand industries in the region, such as health care," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These workers have expressed an interest in long-term training, among other employment-related services."

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 610,000, a decrease of 53,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 663,000. The 4-week moving average was 651,000, a decrease of 8,500 from the previous week's revised average of 659,500.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,680,000 grant to create approximately 140 temporary jobs in Minnesota related to the Red River flood cleanup and recovery effort.

"Recent flooding has left a portion of Minnesota in need of cleanup and recovery services," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will provide temporary jobs for a number of dislocated workers to help restore areas affected by flooding."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $10,467,073 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of New Hampshire. New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire'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 April 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 654,000, a decrease of 20,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 674,000. The 4-week moving average was 657,250, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average of 658,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,409,877 grant to assist approximately 815 workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closures at 11 companies across three regions in southern Missouri. These include the Ozark region, the southeast region and the south central region.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $29,270,446 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Connecticut. Connecticut 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. Connecticut'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 March 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 669,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 657,000. The 4-week moving average was 656,750, an increase of 6,500 from the previous week's revised average of 650,250.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $5,882,545 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of South Dakota. South Dakota 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. South Dakota'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 $757,678 grant to assist approximately 160 workers affected by layoffs at American Airlines Overhaul Base Facility located in Kansas City, Mo.

"American Airlines has experienced the effects of the global and national economic downturn that has caused the elimination of routes and an overall reduction in flights," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The services offered by this grant will help the affected workers find and obtain employment in high growth occupations within their region."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $254,516 grant to assist approximately 73 workers affected by layoffs at Wausau Paper Specialty Products LLC located in Jay, Maine.

"Today's grant will provide affected workers with supportive services, such as career counseling and retraining, in new occupational fields that will enhance their eligibility for re-employment," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $8,342,254 grant to assist approximately 2,428 workers affected by layoffs at the General Motors Corp. truck assembly plant in Moraine, the Chrysler north assembly plant in Toledo, the GM Lordstown plant in Warren and 12 other supplier companies located in Ohio.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,027,190 grant to Washington state to create approximately 130 temporary jobs to assist in flood cleanup efforts.

"Washington endured torrential rainfall and high volumes of melted snow this past January, resulting in mass flooding throughout the western part of the state. Today's grant will create temporary jobs to help clean up the areas that were affected by the floodwaters," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1 million supplement to a previously awarded grant to the state of Minnesota to create approximately 50 temporary jobs to assist in continued clean-up efforts as a result of flash floods.

"Today's grant will increase the number of temporary jobs created in order to alleviate the potential for future flooding in southeastern Minnesota," said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.