US Department of Labor announces grant exceeding $964,000 to assist workers in Oregon affected by paper industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $964,762 grant to assist around 210 workers affected by layoffs at the International Paper Co. in Albany, Ore.

"This grant will provide Oregonians with retraining and re-employment services that will help them secure the good jobs that they need and deserve," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Helping these workers is not just an important part of Oregon's economic recovery; it is the right thing both for the local community and our nation as a whole."

Awarded to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, this grant will be operated by the Community Services Consortium. The grant will provide covered dislocated workers – all of whom also have been certified by the Labor Department as eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance – with access to "wrap-around" and supportive services. These services include dependent care and transportation assistance, and are not available through the TAA program.

Layoffs at the International Paper Co. took place on Nov. 25, 2009. The unemployment rate for Linn County, where the dislocation took place, is 13.8 percent, one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.

This grant 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/.