US Department of Labor announces $1.7 million grant to assist workers in southwest Alabama

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,700,000 grant to assist approximately 319 workers affected by documented and projected layoffs from multiple companies in a defined regional economy in the southwest portion of Alabama. The region is comprised of Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties.

"Job creation and economic recovery are this administration's top priorities. We recognize that those goals will not be realized until workers who have been laid off, or who are facing layoffs, are able to quickly gain the skills they need to enter good jobs – the kind that offer real stability and opportunities for advancement," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

Awarded to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, this grant will be operated by the Alabama Workforce Investment Area and Mobile Works Inc. A key focus of the grant will be targeting workers in this region affected by manufacturing and lumber industry layoffs for training to transition them to growing areas of the regional economy, including aerospace, construction, health care, industrial maintenance, maritime and steel manufacturing.

In addition to serving individuals who already have been laid off, this Regional Economic Impact National Emergency Grant will provide the state with the flexibility to serve workers affected by projected layoffs occurring within this region during the grant's 12-month period of performance.

Of the $1.7 million announced today, $867,015 will be released initially. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance. 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.