US Department of Labor provides an additional $23 million to assist New York with Hurricane Sandy recovery

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a National Emergency Grant supplemental award of $23,314,255 to assist New York with continuing cleanup and recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

"Hurricane Sandy damaged communities, businesses and the livelihoods of countless New Yorkers. With this federal grant, impacted communities can push ahead on cleanup projects and provide additional temporary work opportunities for those in need of employment," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris.

On Oct. 30, 2012, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared seven New York counties as eligible for FEMA's public assistance program: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond and Suffolk. The declaration was amended on Nov. 2, 2012, to include Rockland and Westchester counties. More information on designated disaster areas in New York is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4085/designated-areas.

The department first approved up to $27,792,296 on Nov. 1, 2012, with $13,896,148 released initially. The balance of the grant, $13,896,148, was awarded Dec. 13, 2012. With this supplemental assistance of $23,314,255, funded in part by appropriations available under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act (P.L. 113-2), the total awarded for the project is $51,106,551.

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 www.doleta.gov/NEG/.