U.S. Department of Labor announces nearly $336,000 grant to assist workers in Iowa affected by layoffs at Atwood Mobile Products

WASHINGTON – During a visit to the Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa, today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced a $335,853 Recovery Act grant to assist approximately 125 workers affected by the closure of Atwood Mobile Products in West Union, Iowa.

"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the Recovery Act, is designed to help workers who – through no fault of their own – end up without a job or a paycheck," Secretary Solis explained. "We want to assist them through these tough times and help them to find new jobs moving forward.

"The northeastern region of Iowa has been deeply impacted by layoffs and plant closures. This grant will allow affected Iowans to access additional education and training to help them gain re-employment as quickly as possible."

Today's grant will be awarded to Iowa Workforce Development and will be operated by the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, an organization that promotes regional cooperation and works to meet the planning and economic development needs of local governments in northeast Iowa.

All of the affected workers also have been certified by the Labor Department as eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). This grant will provide these workers with access to "wrap-around" services that are not available through the TAA program. These services include career counseling, job search assistance and job placement assistance. In addition, all affected workers will have access to the full array of dislocated worker services.

On Feb. 17, 2009, the affected workers from Atwood Mobile Products were notified that the company's West Union facility would close as of April 2009.

This grant will be funded by resources made available for National Emergency Grants under the Recovery Act. 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/.