US Department of Labor awards grant increment to provide re-employment assistance for Iowa workers affected by layoffs at Electrolux

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a National Emergency Grant supplement of $448,197 to provide re-employment services to about 713 workers affected by layoffs at Electrolux in Jefferson and Webster City, Iowa, and three of its suppliers in Ames and Webster City, Iowa.

"Any time a major employer shuts its doors, communities suffer," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The additional federal funding announced today will help support these workers and their community by providing continued training and job placement assistance."

Awarded to Iowa Workforce Development, the grant increment will provide eligible workers with access to training and support, in conjunction with other services they may receive as a result of their eligibility for Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits.

In July 2008, Electrolux began moving its operations from Jefferson and Webster City to Juarez, Mexico. In February 2009, the company announced it was moving all manufacturing operations to Juarez and transferring all distribution operations to an existing distribution center in El Paso, Texas. The layoffs occurred between May 2008 and June 2011.

A National Emergency Grant was awarded on Aug. 25, 2010, for up to $1,352,776. Half of that amount was released initially and the second half was awarded on Oct. 14, 2011. Today's supplemental funding brings the total amount awarded to date to $1,800,973.

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/.