U.S. Department of Labor announces more than $300,000 to assist workers affected by layoffs in Maines paper manufacturing industry

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $323,565 grant to assist workers affected by layoffs at NewPage Corp.'s Rumford Paper Mill in Rumford, Maine.

"Today's grant will provide employment-related services that are crucial to finding new jobs in burgeoning areas of the economy," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These workers deserve our support as they seek to upgrade existing skills, or prepare for new careers in promising regional industries."

Awarded to the Maine Department of Labor, this grant will be operated by the Central/Western Maine Workforce Investment Board. It will provide these dislocated workers, all of whom are also certified by the Labor Department as eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), with access to "wrap-around" and supportive services – such as dependent care and transportation assistance – that are not available through the TAA program.

Maine's paper manufacturing industry has seen a gradual reduction of hours and operation over the past 10 years. Layoffs at NewPage Corp. took place over a series of nine events that occurred between Feb. 2 and April 1, 2009.

The amount released today will be funded by resources made available for National Emergency Grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

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/.