US Department of Labor announces grant to assist workers laid off from Kimberly-Clark paper mill in Everett, Wash.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,793,475 National Emergency Grant to assist approximately 570 workers who were affected by layoffs between Dec. 15, 2011, and March 31, 2012, that resulted from the closure of the Kimberly-Clark Corp. paper mill in Everett, Wash.

"Any time a major employer shuts its doors, a community suffers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This federal grant will help Everett by providing these workers the services they need to transition to jobs in growing local industries."

The grant is being awarded to the Washington State Employment Security Department to be used for training and re-employment support services in conjunction with Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits.

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/.