US Department of Labor provides $300,000 to aid West Virginia communities to recover following Hurricane Sandy

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $300,000 National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

"We are committed to helping the citizens of West Virginia recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will assist with cleanup and repair of the state's infrastructure and help those affected by Hurricane Sandy to return to normalcy."

The funds are being awarded to WorkForce West Virginia to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers who will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts.

On Nov. 27, 2012, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 18 counties eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program: Barbour; Boone; Braxton; Clay; Fayette; Kanawha; Lewis; Nicholas; Pendleton; Pocahontas; Preston; Raleigh; Randolph; Taylor; Tucker; Upshur; Webster; and Wyoming. The state has targeted Barbour, Preston, Tucker, Upshur and Webster. Additional counties may be included at a later date if further evaluation warrants their inclusion. More information on designated disaster areas in West Virginia is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4093.

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/.