U.S. Department of Labor announces an additional $7.9 million to Texas to continue recovery efforts caused by Hurricane Ike

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a second and final increment of a National Emergency Grant, in the amount of $7,933,200, to assist in the continued clean-up and recovery efforts in Texas following Hurricane Ike.

"The state of Texas is still working to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ike in late summer 2008," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This increment will create additional temporary jobs to aid in the state's ongoing clean-up and recovery efforts."

On Sept. 13, 2008, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared the following 49 counties in Texas eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Calhoun, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Panola, Polk, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Walker, Waller, Washington and Wharton.

On Sept. 24, 2008, a National Emergency Grant in the amount of $15,883,200 was awarded to the state of Texas, with $7,950,000 released initially. This grant created approximately 600 temporary jobs for affected workers as a result of Hurricane Ike.

This second increment will increase the overall approved number of participants in the temporary work program from 600 to 767. The participants will assist in the continued clean-up and recovery efforts following Hurricane Ike. Additionally, the project will be extended through Dec. 31, 2009, to accommodate local entities that are requesting sufficient time to complete the clean-up projects.

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/.