US Department of Labor provides grant to assist Hurricane Irene recovery efforts in North Carolina

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in North Carolina after major damage was inflicted by Hurricane Irene in August.

"Hurricane Irene displaced many families and caused terrible damage along North Carolina's coast, washing away bridges and roads, and flooding the area," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Obama administration is committed to providing the resources necessary to help impacted communities in their time of need. Today's grant will create 200 temporary jobs to help with cleanup, repair, renovation and reconstruction projects, as well as provide humanitarian aid and safety assistance to those most affected by the storm."

The funds are being awarded to the North Carolina Department of Commerce's Division of Employment and Training. Of the $2 million announced today, $750,000 will be released initially. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance.

On Aug. 31, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 36 counties eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program: Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Sampson, Tyrrell, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wilson. Other counties may be added at a later date if further evaluation warrants their inclusion. More information on designated disaster areas in North Carolina is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=15532.

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/.