US Department of Labor awards funding increment to assist New Jersey recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $10,394,267 National Emergency Grant increment to assist New Jersey with cleanup and recovery efforts statewide in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

"New Jersey's Hurricane Sandy cleanup efforts continue, and the federal government continues to offer support," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The additional federal funding announced today will expand Labor Department assistance to all New Jersey counties so that the state as a whole can more quickly recover."

On Oct. 30, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared eight counties eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program: Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union. On Nov. 5, the declaration was amended to include the state's other 13 counties: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex and Warren. More information on designated disaster areas in New Jersey is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/affected-counties.

Under the initial FEMA declaration, on Nov. 1 the Labor Department approved a National Emergency Grant to the state of New Jersey for up to $15,591,400, with $5,197,133 released initially. The latest $10,394,267 increment will create temporary jobs in the counties recently added to the declaration, representing the balance of the grant.

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/