US Department of Labor provides additional $1.1 million in grant funding to continue Hurricane Isaac recovery efforts in Louisiana

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,119,339 National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts across Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

"Louisiana continues to need assistance to recover from the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Isaac last year,"said acting Secretary Seth D. Harris. "These Labor Department grant funds will help rebuild homes and businesses, and make communities stronger."

The funds are being awarded to the Louisiana Workforce Commission to continue temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery efforts.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 55 of the state's 64 parishes eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Iberia, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, La Salle, Lafayette, Lafourche, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Orleans, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Richland, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Carroll and West Feliciana. More information on designated disaster areas in Louisiana is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4080/

On Sept. 6, 2012, a grant was approved for up to $3,358,017, with $1,119,339 released initially. This increment of another $1,119,339 brings the total funds awarded to date to $2,238,678. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance.

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/.