US Department of Labor makes available $2 million grant increment to aid Louisiana workers impacted by layoffs in multiple industries

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,031,400 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide services to workers affected by layoffs that occurred throughout multiple industries in the state of Louisiana.

"Today's grant will allow continued job placement assistance, skills training and other re-employment services for these Louisianans and will help them get started in new careers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

This second increment of a larger grant, awarded to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, will continue the delivery of re-employment assistance to the original workers served under the initial award, and provide services to 600 additional Lockheed Martin workers affected by layoffs, as a result of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's retirement of the Space Shuttle Program. A total of 950 workers will be served through this increment.

On Nov. 13, 2008, a grant was awarded in the amount of $7.5 million, with $2,031,400 released initially, to provide services to workers laid off in the predominately urban Region 1 area of Louisiana, including the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John and St. Tammany, and the predominately rural Region 7 area, which includes the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster.

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/.