US Department of Labor provides $3.6 million to help Tennessee residents recover from severe storms

National Emergency Grant to fund temporary jobs in 19 counties

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,589,704 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and associated flooding that struck Tennessee last month.

"The devastation caused by recent storms across the Southeast has been heart-wrenching," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "While we can't eliminate the distress caused by the storms, the grant announced today is part of the rebuilding process to help the people of Tennessee get back on their feet."

The funds are being awarded to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and will be used to create temporary jobs to assist in recovery efforts.

As a result of the recent storms, President Obama declared the state of Tennessee a disaster area. On May 1, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington counties eligible for its Public Assistance Program. On May 9, FEMA added Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Houston, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, Montgomery, Obion, Shelby and Stewart to the list of eligible counties. All of the counties under these two declarations have been targeted to receive assistance under this grant. More information on designated disaster areas in Tennessee is available from http://www.fema.gov.

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/.