U.S. Department of Labor announces $11.6 million grant to Iowa for assistance with continued recovery from 2008 storms

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an $11,646,300 grant to create approximately 641 temporary jobs to continue the clean-up and recovery efforts necessary as a result of the 2008 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Iowa.

"The grant awarded today is a result of the continued need for clean-up and restoration in the counties damaged in Iowa as a result of the 2008 disaster events and the discovery of additional damage," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

On June 18, 2008, the state of Iowa was awarded a National Emergency Grant in the amount of $17,127,000, with $6,000,000 released initially, to create approximately 600 temporary jobs to assist in the clean-up and recovery efforts as a result of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. The remaining $11,127,000 was provided to the state on June 27, 2008. The latter funding was awarded to create an additional 767 temporary jobs and fully funded the project.

Today's supplemental grant will be awarded to the Iowa Workforce Development and will create more temporary jobs to continue the clean-up and recovery efforts necessary at already established worksites, as well as to address additional damage that was discovered by workers during the earlier clean-up and restoration of those sites. These new funds also will be used to provide core, intensive and retraining services for individuals who have completed the temporary jobs and cannot return to the work they performed prior to the storms, tornadoes and flooding.

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/.