US Department of Labor provides grant increment to assist Missouri with continued flood recovery efforts

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,141,783 National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts related to flooding that affected northwestern Missouri between June 1 and Aug. 1, 2011. Awarded to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the additional funding will make possible temporary employment for eligible dislocated workers in affected areas.

"While much progress has been made, Missouri continues to recover from last summer's flooding," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This funding from the Labor Department will provide additional assistance to these communities, while also creating temporary employment for local workers."

On Aug. 12, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 11 counties eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program. This grant increment will fund recovery efforts that remain unfinished in eight of those counties: Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Holt, Lafayette, Platte, Ray and Saline. More information on designated disaster areas in Missouri is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4012/affected-counties.

The initial grant from the Labor Department was awarded Oct. 14, 2011, for up to $2,283,567, with $1,141.784 released immediately. The latest increment completes the grant award. To date, this National Emergency Grant has assisted in the creation of about 141 temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery efforts.

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/.