US Department of Labor awards grant to assist eastern Minnesota with recovery efforts following severe storms

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $795,076 National Emergency Grant that will fund temporary jobs to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms that struck a number of eastern Minnesota counties June 14-21. The funds are being awarded to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

"Minnesota communities will get much-needed help with cleanup and recovery in the counties overwhelmed by storms that caused destructive flooding," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The department's funding is part of the federal government's commitment to restore public lands and infrastructure, while also providing temporary work to those in need of employment."

Goodhue, Rice and St. Louis are among those Minnesota counties declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency July 6 as eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program and have been targeted by the state to receive assistance under this grant. More information on designated disaster areas in Minnesota is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news-release/president-declares-disaster-minnesota.

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/.