US Department of Labor provides grant to help Massachusetts residents recover after severe storms and tornadoes

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3 million National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts after severe storms and tornadoes struck the central and western areas of Massachusetts on June 1.

"By creating jobs, today's grant will help repair the many public buildings and schools that sustained damage as a result of the severe weather," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "I am pleased that the Labor Department can assist Massachusetts residents as they recover from the storms and rebuild their communities."

The grant was awarded to the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development.

On June 15, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared Hampden County eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program. Additional counties may be included under the grant if FEMA determines such inclusion is warranted. More information on designated disaster areas in Massachusetts is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=14733.

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/.