US Department of Labor provides $3.8 million grant to help Arkansas residents recover from severe storms

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,758,327 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms, tornadoes and associated flooding that struck Arkansas last month.

"Many communities in Arkansas are suffering from the devastation of recent storms," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "While the hard work of clean-up and repairs is only one part of the recovery, today's grant will help the people of Arkansas get back on their feet."

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

President Obama declared the state of Arkansas a disaster area. On May 2, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared numerous counties eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program. More information on designated disaster areas in Arkansas is available at http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=14312.

The Arkansas counties of Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Chicot, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Crawford, Dallas, Franklin, Fulton, Garland, Greene, Independence, Izard, Lawrence, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, Newton, Randolph, Saline, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, Washington and White have been targeted by the state for assistance under this grant. Additional counties may be included at a later date if further evaluation warrants their inclusion.

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/.