US Department of Labor provides grant increment to continue flood recovery efforts in southeastern Ohio

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5 million National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers. They will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms and floods in April and May 2011 that affected southeastern Ohio.

"Ohio continues to recover from the damage caused by severe storms and floods in the spring of 2011," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The additional federal funding announced today will help prevent future flooding in the Appalachian region while continuing to provide temporary work for those in need of employment."

On July 13, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 21 Ohio counties eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program. These funds will serve 15 of those counties: Athens, Belmont, Gallia, Guernsey, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Ross, Scioto, Vinton and Washington. More information on designated disaster areas in Ohio is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=15052.

On Aug. 8, the Labor Department awarded a National Emergency Grant of $16,233,360 to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, with $3.5 million released initially. The increment announced today brings the total funds awarded to date under the grant to $8.5 million. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance.

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/.