US Department of Labor provides nearly $342,000 to assist storm and flooding recovery efforts in Arkansas

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $341,844 National Emergency Grant award to assist in clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms and flooding that occurred in Arkansas in December 2009.

"Arkansas has not recovered fully from the damage inflicted by storms and flooding in December. This grant will provide temporary employment to workers by supporting their efforts to restore impacted communities," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Helping workers earn a paycheck and allowing them to participate in getting their community back on its feet is what I call a win-win undertaking."

These funds will be awarded to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. Funds will be used to create temporary jobs to assist in the recovery efforts as a result of the damage caused by the severe storms and flooding.

On Feb. 4, 2010, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 24 counties in Arkansas eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program: Bradley, Calhoun, Clark, Clay, Cleveland, Craighead, Dallas, Drew, Grant, Greene, Hempstead, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Lonoke, Miller, Monroe, Nevada, Ouachita, Poinsett, Prairie, White and Woodruff.

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/.