US Department of Labor provides grant to assist Florida with recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Debby

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $256,953 National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby, which made landfall in Florida June 23.

"Tropical Storm Debby brought flash floods, tornadoes and coastal erosion to Florida," said Jane Oates, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. "The department's funding is part of the federal government's commitment to help Floridians rebuild their communities and put their lives back on track."

Awarded to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the funds will be used specifically to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts.

On July 3, 2012, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 20 Florida counties eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program: Baker, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty, Manatee, Nassau, Pasco, Sarasota, Suwannee, Union and Wakulla. Additional counties may be included at a later date if further evaluation warrants their inclusion. More information on designated disaster areas in Florida is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4068.

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/.