US Department of Labor announces $2.6 million grant to assist workers in rural Oregon

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,571,600 grant to assist about 370 workers affected by documented and projected layoffs from multiple companies in a defined regional economy in rural Oregon. This region is comprised of Baker, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler counties.

This Regional Economic Impact National Emergency Grant also will provide the state of Oregon with the flexibility to serve other workers affected by layoffs occurring within this region during the grant's 12-month period of performance.

"Oregon's working families have been hit hard by the recession, and they deserve our support as the nation's economy recovers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will give workers in Oregon access to indispensable re-employment and re-training services while also investing in promising sectors of the state's economy."

Awarded to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, this grant will be operated by The Oregon Consortium/Oregon Workforce Alliance. A key focus of the grant will be targeting workers in rural Oregon affected by manufacturing layoffs for training in order to help them transition to strong areas of the regional economy, including lumber and wood products, agriculture and renewable energy power generation.

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.