US Department of Labor provides grant to continue assistance for southeastern Ohio following severe storms in spring 2011

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $7,733,360 National Emergency Grant increment that will continue funding approximately 700 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts following the severe storms and floods that struck southeastern Ohio between April 4 and May 15, 2011.

The funds, awarded to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, will be used to assist the following 15 counties: Athens, Belmont, Gallia, Guernsey, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Ross, Scioto, Vinton and Washington.

"Southeastern Ohioans are still recovering from the damage inflicted by the severe storms and floods of the spring of 2011," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The additional federal funding announced today will provide much needed assistance so residents can rebuild their lives and communities and, at the same time, offer jobs to those in need of employment."

The counties being served under this grant are among those that the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared eligible for its Public Assistance Program on July 13, 2011. More information on designated disaster areas in Ohio is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=15052.

A National Emergency Grant was awarded on Aug. 8, 2011, for up to $16,233,360, with $3,500,000 released initially. An increment of $5 million was awarded in January 2012. Today's third and final increment completes the total funds awarded.

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/.