US Labor Department announces more than $3.8 million in grants to assist workers affected by layoffs in Oregons recreational vehicle manufacturing industry

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $3,850,268 in grants to assist about 1,430 workers in the state of Oregon affected by layoffs from Monaco Coach Corp. locations in Coburg and Hines.

"Layoffs and plant closings in the recreational vehicle industry are having a major impact on working families. In striving to address the underlying challenges of this situation, the U.S. Department of Labor remains committed to helping workers upgrade their skills and retrain for careers in promising fields," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grants will provide re-employment services vital to ensuring these workers re-enter the Oregon workforce as quickly as possible."

The Lane Workforce Partnership and the Oregon Consortium each will operate one of two National Emergency Grants awarded to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. If pending Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petitions also are approved, these dislocated workers will have access to "wrap-around" and supportive services – such as dependent care and transportation assistance – in addition to the full array of training and employment-related services provided through each grant.

In the past year, the recreational vehicle e manufacturing industry has experienced several layoffs within Oregon. The layoffs at Monaco Coach Corp. in Coburg took place in March 2009 with the closure of the facility. A grant of $3,319,088 will assist about 1,355 affected workers. Temporary layoffs at Monaco Coach Corp. in Hines took place in December 2008 and became permanent in March 2009 with the closure of the facility. A grant of $531,180 will assist about 75 workers.

Of the total $3,850,268 announced today for both locations, $2,190,473 will be released initially. Of that figure, $1,659,293 is for Coburg workers, with additional funding up to the full amount approved to be made available as the state demonstrated a continued need for assistance. The entire amount approved for Hines workers is being made available immediately.

The grants 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/.